Our Mission

FOSA and the Connecticut Office of State Archaeology

The Office of State Archaeology (OSA) was established at the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History (CSMNH) in 1987 to provide technical assistance to municipalities in the preservation of archaeological sites within their communities that might be threatened by development and vandalism.

While duly established, the OSA was not allocated sufficient funds to properly carry out its responsibilities. As a result of this, the Friends of the Office of State Archaeology (FOSA) was established in 1997, as a non-profit group to assist the State Archaeologists in the performance of their duties.

How the Friends Help:

  • Provide archaeological educational curricula and experiences to schools.
  • Present and sponsor public lectures.
  • Secure donations of office equipment, laboratory supplies, and field supplies for OSA.
  • Coordinate and participate in volunteer OSA field and office activities.
  • Help coordinate, organize, and schedule activities for Connecticut’s annual Archaeology Awareness Month.
  • Assist scouts in earning archaeology merit badges.
  • Create archaeological partnerships between local governments, students, and concerned citizens.
  • Help increase corporate sponsorship of OSA-sponsored activities.
  • Obtain grants and public funding for OSA collections management and office staff.
  • Provide for scientific investigation and preservation of materials in OSA collections through the Douglas Jordan Testing, Dating & Conservation Fund.
Join Us View Latest FOSA Brochure

Officers and Board of Directors

Officers

wdt_ID wdt_created_by wdt_created_at wdt_last_edited_by wdt_last_edited_at Title Name
1 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:20 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 30/03/2026 09:19 AM President Thomas Ford
2 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:20 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 30/03/2026 09:21 AM Vice President TBD
3 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:20 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:20 PM Recording Secretary TBD
4 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:20 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:20 PM Corresponding Secretary Sandy DiStefano
5 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:20 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:20 PM Treasurer Gary Ontko
6 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:20 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:20 PM Assistant Treasurer Jeremy Pilver

Ex-Officio Members

wdt_ID wdt_created_by wdt_created_at wdt_last_edited_by wdt_last_edited_at Name
1 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:23 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:23 PM Dr. Sarah Sportman, CT State Archaeologist (OSA)
2 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:23 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:23 PM Dr. Nicholas Bellantoni, emeritus CT State Archaeologist
3 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:23 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:23 PM Dr. Janine Caira, Director,CSMNH
4 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:23 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:23 PM Lee West, ASC

Board of Directors

wdt_ID wdt_created_by wdt_created_at wdt_last_edited_by wdt_last_edited_at Name
1 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:21 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:21 PM Dawn Brown
2 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:21 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:21 PM Mike Cahill
3 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:21 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 30/03/2026 09:22 AM Sandy DiStefano
4 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:21 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:21 PM Richard Hughes
6 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:21 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:21 PM Lori Kessel
8 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:21 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:21 PM Ray Michno
9 ray@ctwebgeek.com 10/02/2026 12:21 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 30/03/2026 09:24 AM Mike Raber
10 ray@ctwebgeek.com 30/03/2026 09:23 AM ray@ctwebgeek.com 30/03/2026 09:24 AM Glenda Rose
11 ray@ctwebgeek.com 26/05/2026 03:42 PM ray@ctwebgeek.com 26/05/2026 03:42 PM Kathy Walburn

Committees and Committee Members

Cooke Grant Committee

  • Jeremy Pilver (Chair)
  • Thomas Ford
  • Jim Hall

Excavation Committee

  • TBD (Chair)
  • Jeremy Pilver
  • Mike Cahill
  • Dick Hughes
  • Lori Kessel
  • Frederick Rivard
  • Kathy Walburn

Membership Committee

  • Mike Raber (Chair)
  • Sandy DiStefano (Corresponding Secretary)
  • Ray Michno

Newsletter Committee

  • Jerry Tolchin (Chair)
  • Lindsay Kiesewetter

Nominations Committee

  • Thomas Ford

Outreach Committee

  • Kathy Walburn (Chair)
  • Bonnie Beatrice
  • Ken Beatrice

Awards Committee

  • Mike Cahill
  • Mike Raber
  • Thomas Ford

Website Committee

  • Ray Michno (Chair)
  • Jim Hall
  • Glenda Rose