Board of Curators Awards
Board of Curators Awards
Each year, the Wisconsin Historical Society's governing Board of Curators recognizes individuals and organizations for meritorious work in areas relating to the Society's mission. Learn about how you can participate and see past winners.
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2026 Awards
Nominations for the 2026 Board of Curators Awards will be accepted after January 1, 2026. All nominations must be postmarked or delivered by March 10, 2026.
Awards are reviewed by a committee of judges appointed by the Society and then approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Curators. The judges reserve the right to make no award in any given year. The decision of the judges is final.
Have Questions?
For more information about Society awards, contact Janet Seymour by phone at 715-836-2250 or by email below:
Award Submission Guidelines
- About the Book of Merit Award
The Wisconsin Historical Society invites submissions for the Society's annual Book of Merit Award, awarded in June of each year. - About the Governor's Archives Awards
The Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board (WHRAB) and the Wisconsin Historical Society invite nominations for the Governor's Archives Awards. - About the Historic Preservation and Restoration Awards
The Historic Preservation and Restoration Awards recognize exemplary projects that have preserved or restored a part of Wisconsin's heritage. - About the Museum Exhibit Awards
The Wisconsin Historical Society invites nominations for its Museum Exhibit Awards. - About the Public Program Award
The Wisconsin Historical Society invites nominations for an award that honors outstanding work in a new Wisconsin history public program. - About the Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy for Local History
The Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy is presented annually to an affiliate for excellence in service to its community. - About the William Best Hesseltine Award
Each year, member readers vote for the best original article of the volume year of the Wisconsin Magazine of History. - About the Wisconsin Family History Book Award
The Wisconsin Historical Society and the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society invite nominations of published genealogies of Wisconsin families.
2025 Award Winners
- Book of Merit Award
Indigenous Archival Activism: Mohican Interventions in Public History and Memory, by Rose Miron, published by the University of Minnesota Press - Governor's Award for Archival Achievement
Mineral Point Library Archives, Mineral Point, WI - Governor's Award for Archival Innovation
Dark La Crosse Stories, La Crosse Public Library, La Crosse, WI - Historic Preservation Award
Tom Villand and Russel Leitz, Volunteers, Wisconsin SHPO Maritime Archaeology Program - Historic Restoration Award (budget over $1 million)
Jason Virchow, The Historic Auditorium, St. Croix Falls, WI - Historic Restoration Awards (budget under $1 million)
Julie Phelps, Nelsons Service Station, Gordon, WI - Museum Exhibit Award (budget over $5,000)
"Wisconsin's Shipwreck Coasts," Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, WI - Museum Exhibit Award (budget under $5,000)
"The Hackner Touch: A Legacy of Sacred Craftsmanship," La Crosse County Historical Society, La Crosse, WI - Public Program Award
Nancy Kopp and Colleen Ball, Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of Lavinia Goodell's Admission to the Wisconsin State Bar - Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy for Local History
Portage County Historical Society, Stevens Point, WI - Wisconsin Family History Book Award
Ancestors of Paul Robert Axtell and Jeanne Elizabeth Derse, by James P. Axtell
Past Award Winners
To view articles on past award winners, click here.