Contact: 
Bethany Hawkins
[email protected]
615-320-3203

Every year, AASLH bestows the Leadership in History Awards in recognition of excellence in the field of state and local history. Now in its 69th year, the Awards Program is the most prestigious national recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of local, state, and regional history.  AASLH initiated the Awards Program in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout America.

The AASLH Leadership in History Awards Program recognizes exemplary work completed by state or federal historical societies, institutions, or agencies; regional, county, or local historical societies, institutions, or agencies; specialized subject societies in related fields such as oral history, genealogy, folklore, archaeology, business history, railroad history, etc.; junior historical societies; privately owned museums or foundations; individuals; and organizations outside the field of traditional historical agencies.

AASLH recognizes excellence in the following areas:

  • Exhibits
  • Public and educational programming
  • Special projects
  • Publications
  • Multimedia
  • Individual  Achievement

Applicants can self-nominate or nominate another project. Nominees need not be members of AASLH to qualify. Organizations of all sizes are encouraged to apply! Learn more about the awards by visiting the website.

Deadline for nominations is March 1, 2015.

A list of state award representatives who can advise nominees can be found at the AASLH website.  Nominations are then reviewed by a national committee in the summer of 2014 with formal presentation of the awards made during the AASLH Annual Meeting, September 16-19, in Louisville, KY.

Have you always wondered what the AASLH awards program is?

Do you feel that your organization is too small to win a national award? AASLH knows that organizations across the country do amazing work in the field of state and local history and want to recognize your efforts. Join this FREE informational webinar on January 13, 2015 to learn about the program and why you should apply, no matter what your budget size. Also get tips for how to put together an award-winning nomination.