Michael O. and Martha B. Hartley of Winston-Salem were recognized for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to preservation as part of their job responsibilities. Michael, an archaeologist, and Martha, a planner, have helped preserve and educate others about Forsyth County’s Moravian heritage.

Michael O. and Martha Hartley have contributed greatly to preservation efforts in North Carolina, especially in the Winston-Salem area. Michael, better known as Mo, already had an impressive background in archaeology in South Carolina before moving to Old Salem. Working with several historic sites in the low country, he created a reputation as a fervent supporter of preservation efforts. Meanwhile, Martha, a preservation planner, worked in Virginia, establishing and serving on several preservation foundations before moving back home to her native Winston-Salem.

There, in the 1980s, the two joined together in efforts to preserve and educate others about Forsyth County's Moravian heritage. They helped deflect plans for a proposed by-pass through the 18th-century town of Bethania. Their efforts led to a reassessment of the Bethania National Register District, eventually producing a National Historic Landmark designation covering more than 500 acres, including orchards and fields dating back to the 1760s. Not only did Mo and Martha's efforts help protect historic Bethania from the by-pass, they also served as a catalyst in raising public support and awareness of the importance of preserving the cultural landscape and rural areas along with historic structures.

More recently, Mo and Martha organized historic archaeologists working in North Carolina to come together for a meeting to address issues such as educational opportunities, distribution of information, and preservation challenges. This meeting led to the creation of the Historical Archaeological Forum of North Carolina, which now has an informational website that supports and spreads knowledge about the historic archeology field statewide.

In addition, Martha and Mo have worked tirelessly on other preservation projects, helping build an archaeology program at Old Salem, publishing articles, teaching classes, and conducting a field school for fourteen years to mentor and educate students at UNC-Greensboro. They have devoted many hours to working with and informing people across the state, helping spread understanding of the need to preserve not only buildings but the land itself.

Mo and Martha Hartley truly are deserving of recognition, and we are delighted to present them with the 2008 Robert E. Stipe Professional Award.