Board of Curators Awards
Program Overview
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 canparticipate and see past winners!
Nominations for the 2027 Board of Curators Awards will be accepted after January 1, 2027. All nominations must be postmarked or delivered by March 10, 2027.
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 not select an award recipient in any given year. The decision of the judges is final.
2026 Award Winners
Book of Merit Award
Ojibwe Ethnogenesis, 1640–1740, by Theresa M. Schenck, published by University of Nebraska Press
Governor's Award for Archival Achievement
Raynor Library, Marquette University, for Digitizing Records of the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions
Governor's Award for Archival Advocacy
UW-Milwaukee Geography Department for Mapping Racism and Resistance in Milwaukee County
Governor's Award for Archival Innovation
UW-Stevens Point for Stevens Point Through the Years
Historic Preservation Award
City of Port Washington for Preservation of Port Washington North Breakwater Light, Port Washington, WI
Historic Rehabilitation Award
Budget over $2.5 Million
UW-Madison and the State of Wisconsin DOA, Lathrop Hall Rehabilitation, Madison, WI
Historic Rehabilitation Award
Budget under $2.5 Million
Eagle Bluff Light Station, Eagle Bluff Light Station Restoration, Fish Creek, WI
Museum Exhibit Award
Budget under $5,000
"Leon Lewis,” Iron County Historical Society, Hurley, WI
Public Program Award
Shawano County Historical Society and Shawano County, Shawano Has History Project, Shawano, WI
Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy for Local History
Door County Historical Society, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Wisconsin Family History Book Award
Silesians in the Driftless: The Thomas and Maria (Kania) Misch and Frank and Marie (Walek) Smieja Families of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, by Kathryn A. Newman
Awards
Select an award below to view guidelines or submit an award nomination.
Museum Exhibit Awards
The Wisconsin Historical Society invites nominations for its Museum Exhibit Awards. Honoring exhibits for their creativity in sharing history with accuracy, relevancy, and design the Wisconsin Hist...
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.
Historic Preservation and Rehabilitation Awards
The Historic Preservation and Rehabilitation Awards recognize exemplary projects that have preserved or restored a part of Wisconsin's heritage.
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.
Public Program Award
The Wisconsin Historical Society invites nominations for an award that honors outstanding work in a new Wisconsin history public program. The Award is presented to a WI organization that has launch...
Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy for Local History
The Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy is presented annually to one affiliated historical organization for continued excellence and overall service to its community over a period of at least five years..
Wisconsin Family History Book Award
The Wisconsin Historical Society and the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society invite nominations of published genealogies of Wisconsin families.
Questions about Board of Curators Awards?
We're here to help you get the information you need. Please reach out.
Janet Seymour
Outreach Director
Portage County Historical Society, recipients of the 2025 Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy for Local History
