American Association for State and Local History Announces 2006 Leadership in History Awards Program

NASHVILLE, TN (January 25, 2006) — The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) invites submissions to the newly renamed Leadership in History Awards Program. Now in its 61st year, the awards program has gone through some revisions, including a change in title to reflect what it recognizes. The awards program is the most prestigious national recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of local, state, and regional history. The 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.

   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. Awards are given for general excellence, exhibits, public and educational programming, special projects, media/publications, web sites, individual achievement, and preservation or restoration projects. Nominees need not be members of AASLH to qualify.

   Nomination forms may be obtained by visiting the AASLH web site, www.aaslh.org,   or by contacting the AASLH office by phone: (615) 320-3203; or e-mail: hawkins@aaslh.org.

   Nominations are due to state award representatives on March 1, 2006. A list of state team captains can be found at the AASLH Web site. Nominations are then reviewed by a national committee in the summer of 2006 with formal presentation of the awards made during the AASLH Annual Meeting, September 13-16, 2006, in Phoenix, AZ.

   The American Association for State and Local history 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 about the awards program, contact Bethany Hawkins in the AASLH office at (615) 320-3203.