Fifty-nine recipients from twenty-eight states receive highest honor from AASLH

AASLH Award of Distinction Bestowed to Dr. Robert Archibald

NASHVILLE, TN—June 2012—The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) proudly announces the winners of the 67th annual Leadership in History Awards, the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. This year, AASLH is proud to confer fifty-nine national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits, books, and organizations.

“The Leadership in History Awards is AASLH’s highest distinction and the winners represent the best in the field,” said Terry Davis, AASLH President & CEO. “This year, we are pleased to distinguish each recipient’s commitment and innovation to the interpretation of history, as well as their leadership for the future of state and local history.”

AASLH is also pleased to announce that Dr. Robert Archibald will be presented with the Award of Distinction at this year’s awards banquet. The Award of Distinction is given infrequently in recognition of long and very distinguished service and contributions on the part of a person working in state and local history who is recognized nationally as a leader in the profession. An individual must have demonstrated the highest standards of performance and professional ethics to be considered for this elite award.

The Leadership in History Awards Program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout America. Each nomination is peer-reviewed by AASLH’s state captains. Final awards are decided by the Awards Committee, comprised of AASLH’s fourteen regional representatives and the National Awards Chair.

The awards include:

  • The Award of Merit which is presented for excellence in history programs, projects, and people when compared with similar activities nationwide;
  • The Albert B. Corey Award, named in honor of a founder and former president of AASLH, which recognizes primarily volunteer-operated historical organizations that best display the qualities of vigor, scholarship, and imagination in their work.
  • The HIP (History in Progress) Award is an award given at the discretion of the awards committee to 5% or less of the total winners of the Award of Merit for a project that is highly inspirational, exhibits exceptional scholarship, and/or is exceedingly entrepreneurial in terms of funding, partnerships, or collaborations, creative problem solving, or unusual project design and inclusiveness.

Presentation of the awards will be made at a special banquet during the 2012 AASLH Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Friday, October 5, 2012. The banquet is supported by a generous contribution from the History Channel. A list of all winners by state is attached.

See a full list of all winners by state.

About The American Association for State and Local History:  AASLH is a not-for-profit professional organization of individuals and institutions working to preserve and promote history. From its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, AASLH works to advance knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of local history in America. AASLH publishes books, technical publications, a quarterly magazine, and monthly newsletter. The association also sponsors regional and national training workshops and an annual meeting. For more information on the awards program and AASLH, please visit aaslh.org.

###