Frankfort, KY - Individuals and organizations from across the commonwealth were honored at the 2008 Kentucky History Awards Program, held March 1 at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. Sponsored by the Kentucky Historical Society and the Historical Confederation of Kentucky, these annual awards recognize the best history achievements and projects relating to state and local history.
"This is an opportunity to recognize the hard work of those who cherish Kentucky history," says Kent Whitworth, executive director. "We are pleased to honor individuals and programs that provide all of us with connections to the past, perspective on the present, and inspiration for the future."
The President's Award for Excellence for Outstanding Museum or Historical Society of the Year was given to the Alexander Hamilton Historical Society of Kentucky of Louisville. The Award of Distinction for an Individual was given to Jeannette Dean of Caldwell County. The Frank R. Levstik Professional Service Award was given to Ed Houlihan of Lexington.
Special Awards for support of community history presented were:
- Government Award: Mayor Gale Cherry of Princeton
- Media Award: Pioneer News of Shepherdsville
- Business/Corporate Award: Graphic Enterprises of Prospect
- Community History Award: The Community of Caldwell County
- Award for Lifetime Dedication to Kentucky History: John Edward Lever Robertson, Sr. of Paducah
General award categories included educational program for schools, educational program for community, volunteer group, museum exhibit, family- history publication, local or state history publication, brochure, pamphlet, or poster, exhibition, catalog, or other publication. Winners included:
Award of Merit
- Museum Exhibit: Patton Museum-"When Humanity Fails"; Thomas Edison House-"Edison Bedroom Restoration"; Capital City Museum-"Capital Hotel Exhibits"
- Educational Program for Public: Friends of Baker Hunt-"2007 Northern Kentucky History Art and Culture Lecture Series"; Lexington Philharmonic- "Kentucky Music and the Lincoln Family"; Georgetown & Scott County Museum-"Revisiting Scott County Historic Churches: A Decade Later"
- Volunteer Group: Bullitt County History Museum
- Audiovisual or Oral History Project: Caldwell County Historical Society-My Kentucky Home
- Publication-Local or State History: Stefanie Buzan and Rosemary McCandless-A View from the Top; Francis Nash-Historical Views of Carter County; Frankfort Heritage Press- Frankfort Cemetery; Lynn S. Renau-So Close From Home
- Publication-Web Site/Online Index: Patton Museum Foundation
- Publication-Poster/Exhibit Catalog/Other: Cumberland Gap National Park-Junior Ranger Activity Book; Fort Boonesborough State Park- Teacher Resource CD
Certificate of Commendation
- Museum Exhibit: Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site-"Sun Circle Exhibit"; Forkland Community Center-"Forkland Abraham Lincoln Museum"; Hardin County History Museum-"Lincoln Family & Friends"
- Educational Program for the Public: Georgetown & Scott County Museum-"A Good Game of Marbles"; Bluegrass Heritage Museum-"Second Thursday Program"
- Volunteer Group: Fort Boonesborough Foundation; Alexander Hamilton Historical Society of Kentucky
- Audiovisual or Oral History Project: Mayfield High School Alumni Association-A Tour of Mayfield
- Publication-Brochure or Pamphlet: Michelle Gambill-Downtown Hazard Walking Tour
- Publication-Local or State History: Kentucky National Guard-60th Anniversary Celebration of Kentucky National Guard's 202nd Army Band; Kentucky National Guard-A Brief History of the Kentucky Air National Guard; Kenton County Historical Society-The Balcony is Closed
- Publication-Newsletter or Journal: Bullitt County History Museum-Friends of Bullitt County History Museum E-Newsletter; Bluegrass Heritage Museum-The Bluegrass Journal; Hardin County Historical Society-Bits and Pieces of Hardin County History
- Publication-Web Site/Online Index: Graphic Enterprises; Bullitt County History Museum
High-resolution photos are available upon request by contacting Stephanie Siria at 502-564-1792, ext. 4504.
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An agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, since 1836, has provided connections to the past, perspective on the present, and inspiration for the future. KHS operates the Old State Capitol, the Kentucky Military History Museum, and its headquarters, the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History. Since 1999, the thirty- million- dollar Center has welcomed more than one million visitors. For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit our Web site.