Statewide program recognizes Marathon County Historical Society, Milwaukee Public Library, Eau Claire “High Bridge” project and others

Madison, WI – The Wisconsin Historical Society is pleased to announce the 2023 winners of the annual Board of Curators Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations across the state for exceptional work consistent with the Society’s mission to connect people to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Board of Curators is the Wisconsin Historical Society’s governing body and is composed of both elected and appointed members from across Wisconsin.

“On behalf of the Society and our Board of Curators, I am honored to congratulate the 2023 award winners for exemplary work preserving and sharing history in regions all over the state,” said Christian Overland, the Ruth and Hartley Barker Director & CEO for the Wisconsin Historical Society. “This program celebrates significant contributions in the field of history that make a difference not just for those who can appreciate it today, but also for future generations.”

The Board of Curators received over 40 nominations this year and is pleased to announce the following award recipients:

Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy for Local History: Presented annually to one affiliated historical organization for continued excellence and overall service to its community over a period of at least five years. The trophy is held by the winning affiliate for one year.

• Marathon County Historical Society

The Marathon County Historical Society has demonstrated excellence in collecting, preserving and sharing local history since it was chartered in 1952. The Marathon County Historical Society’s mission is to collect, preserve, and exhibit materials related to the history of Marathon County, and to use those materials to help people learn about North Central Wisconsin, connect with their roots, and explore their own historical connections. The 2023 Thwaites Trophy recognizes the organization’s commitment to serving the community through education, preservation, research, and experiences.

Book of Merit Award (two awards conferred in 2023):

• “Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi, 1800-1850,” Mary Elise Antoine, Wisconsin Historical Society Press
• “The Wongs of Beloit, Wisconsin,” Beatrice McKenzie, The University of Wisconsin Press

Genealogy-Family History Book Award (in partnership with Wisconsin Genealogy Society):

• Denise Rae Krueger, “The Aschbrenner Family: A Detailed History of a Family Who Immigrated from Posen to Marathon County, Wisconsin”

Governor’s Archives Awards (in partnership with Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board):

• Archival Innovation: Milwaukee Public Library Archives Team

Historic Preservation and Historic Restoration Awards:

• Preservation Award: City of Eau Claire, Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Omaha Railroad Bridge (the “High Bridge” project)
• Restoration Award (budget greater than $1 million) Jason Alberty, Newburg Menswear Building, Miller & Horne Building, and Trane Building, La Crosse, Wisconsin
• Restoration Award (budget under $1 million) Samantha Crownover, Bruce Crownover, and Thomas Neujahr, William Henry Brisbane House, Arena, Wisconsin
• Honorary 2022 Preservation Award: John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Mary Nohl Art Environment preservation, Fox Point, Wisconsin

Museum Exhibit Awards:

• Museum exhibit with budget greater than $5,000: UW Public History Project, “Sifting and Reckoning: UW-Madison’s History of Exclusion and Resistance”
• Museum Exhibit with budget less than $5,000: Oshkosh Public Museum, “Helen Farnsworth Mears: A Genius of Wisconsin”

For information on award criteria, nominations and deadlines visit: https://wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Article/CS15291

About the Wisconsin Historical Society

The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services. For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.