Individuals and organizations statewide recognized for excellence in sharing history

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Historical Society is pleased to announce the 2024 winners of the annual Board of Curators Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations across the state for exceptional work aligned 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 composed of both elected and appointed members from across Wisconsin.

“The awards are an opportunity to identify and promote some of the wonderful achievements of the past year that have helped Wisconsinites connect with history,” said Christian Overland, the Ruth & Hartley Barker Director and CEO of the Wisconsin Historical Society. “We are excited to recognize the award winners from across our great state for their standout work spanning research, preservation, and community programming that creates the fabric of Wisconsin’s history.”

The Board of Curators received 40 nominations this year and is delighted 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.

• Bayfield Heritage Association

The Bayfield Heritage Association is a nonprofit history organization in Bayfield, Wisconsin, that has preserved history in the city of Bayfield and Apostle Islands region for five decades. An affiliate of the Wisconsin Historical Society, the Bayfield Heritage Association was awarded the Thwaites Trophy for its dedication to community and civic engagement, commitment to local history and exceptional public programming and collections care. 

Book of Merit Award:

• “A History in Indigenous Voices: Menominee, Ho-Chunk, Oneida, Stockbridge, and Brothertown Interactions in the Removal Era,” by Carol Cornelius, Wisconsin Historical Society Press

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

• Rebecca Bley Shamblin, “Ancestors of Olive Marie Schmidt: The Schmidt/Krier Family”

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

• Archival Achievement (two awards conferred): Carol Bannen, Research Librarian, Wauwatosa Historical Society, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and Wisconsin Latinx History Collective
• Archival Advocacy: Ann Waidelich and the Historic Madison Inc. Volunteers, Madison, Wisconsin
• Archival Innovation: Milwaukee Hip Hop Archive Project, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Historic Preservation and Historic Restoration Awards:

• Preservation Award: Georgia Kestol-Bauer for Heart Prairie Norwegian Methodist Episcopal Church, Delavan, Wisconsin
• Restoration Award:(budget greater than $1 million): West Center-North 32^nd Historic District (Community Within the Corridor), Scott-Crawford, Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Restoration Award (budget under $1 million, two awards conferred in 2024): Fort Winnebago Surgeon’s Quarters, Wisconsin Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Portage, Wisconsin, and Effigy Mounds Initiative, Nitschke Mounds County Park, Dodge County, Wisconsin

Museum Exhibit Award:

• Museum exhibit with budget greater than $5,000: Neenah Historical Society and Menasha Historical Society for “Neenah and Menasha Sesquicentennials: Two Cities, One Community,” Neenah, Wisconsin

Public Program Award

• Greendale Historical Society, for “Our Town: Greendale, Wisconsin”

Click here for more information on award criteria, nominations and deadlines.

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.