Tucson resident Loretta "Lori" Davisson is honored with the 2002 Sharlot Hall Award for her research, writing, consulting, and archival work that has contributed to the understanding and awareness of Arizona history.

Born in Columbus, Ohio, Davisson moved to Arizona in 1965 and quickly immersed herself in the history of our state when she was hired at the Arizona Historical Society in Tucson. Through the years she moved up from cataloger to research historian and became known for her understanding of our state's history - especially Apache history and culture, Arizona law enforcement, and the contributions of Scottish pioneers to the territory and state.

In 1972 she embarked on a very long-term project to be an advisor in the planning and construction of the White Mountain Apache Culture Center Museum and Library at Fort Apache. Counted as one of her most significant achievements, she spent much of her personal time at Fort Apache and frequently vacationed in the area to combine work and play. Later, she assisted the Fort Verde State Park Museum as a consultant.

Davisson has served as a historical consultant to the Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Board and the Arizona Center for Law Related Education of the Arizona Bar Foundation. During her archives tenure at the Arizona Historical Society she collected and organized material on law enforcement in Arizona.

In 1980 she help to found the Adobe Corral of Westerners in Tucson since the other Corrals in that town were either too far away, or just didn't allow women.

Since her retirement in 1992 she has donated her time and expertise as a docent and lecturer at the Fort Lowell Museum. She continues to consult on historical topics, but a little less so since she recently oversaw the transfer of her "pick-up truck load" of library and research materials to the Apache Tribe for the Cultural Center.

Over the years she has frequently published articles in historical journals and other media including the Journal of Arizona History, the Tucson Corral of Westerners' Smoke Signals and the White Mountain Apache newspaper.

Perhaps her greatest achievement is shown in the acknowledgements of authors who have used her valuable assistance while researching topics of their own. As best stated by one of her nominators, "Lori is the epitome of the dedicated research historian, whose important contributions are often measured in accomplishments of others"

At the April meeting of the Arizona Historical Convention Lorretta "Lori" Davisson received our 20th Sharlot Hall Award. Made each year to "a living Arizona woman who has made a valuable contribution to the understanding and awareness of Arizona and its history," the Award has honored teachers, anthropologists, and of course historians.

Davisson moved to Arizona in 1965 and quickly immersed herself in the history of our state when she was hired at the Arizona Historical Society in Tucson. She became known for her understanding of our state's history - especially Apache culture, law enforcement, and the contributions of Scottish pioneers.

The highlight of her career began in 1972 when she embarked on a long-term project to advise in the planning and construction of the White Mountain Apache Culture Center Museum and Library. Today, she continues to consult, but a little less so since she recently oversaw the transfer of her "pick-up truck load" of research materials to the Apaches.

Perhaps her greatest achievement is shown in the acknowledgements of authors who have used her valuable assistance while researching topics of their own. As best stated by one of her nominators, "Lori is the epitome of the dedicated research historian, whose important contributions are often measured in accomplishments of others"