History Award Nominations Sought

KNOXVILLE, TN (January 31, 2007) The East Tennessee Historical Society (ETHS) is seeking nominations from across East Tennessee for awards of excellence in the field of history. Each year, the society recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the preservation, promotion, and interpretation of the region's history.

Awards are in four categories:

   The Award of Distinction recognizes a special project, such as publications, building preservation, or special programming, including a conference, heritage event, lecture series, or other.

   History in the Media Award is presented to someone in the field of television, radio, newspaper, magazine, Internet for outstanding contributions to the promotion of our region's history.

   Teaching Excellence Award is for outstanding or innovative teaching of history at any level, grade one through adult education.

   The Society's most prestigious recognition is the Ramsey Award for Lifetime Achievement. This award is reserved for one who, over the course of a lifetime, has made outstanding contributions to the understanding and preservation of East Tennessee history. It is named for ETHS founder and early historian, Dr. J.G.M. Ramsey, author of The Annals of East Tennessee to the End of the Eighteenth Century.

   These prestigious awards have been presented by the Society each year since 1982 to individuals and organizations with outstanding contributions in the fields of teaching, the media, preservation, publishing, and lifetime achievement

   For more information about the History Awards Program or to request a nomination form, please contact the East Tennessee Historical Society, P. O. Box 1629, Knoxville, TN 37901; phone: 865-215-8824; or visit website at www.east-tennessee-history.org . The postmark deadline for award applications is April 13, 2007. Winners will be recognized at the Society's Annual Meeting, June 5, in Knoxville.

   Established in 1834, the East Tennessee Historical Society has 2,000 members across the United States. Its active publications program includes the triannual genealogy magazine Tennessee Ancestors; the annual Journal of East Tennessee History; and Newsline, as well as other books pertaining to the region's history. The Society also sponsors the Museum of East Tennessee History and the family heritage program "First Families of Tennessee." The mission of the society is to preserve, interpret and promote the region's history.