Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy for Local History
About the 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. The trophy is held by the winning affiliate for one year. Each affiliate is invited to review its own performance and submit itself in nomination for the trophy.
Nominations are due March 10 of each year.
Door County Historical Society
Submission Guidelines
Please consider the following guidelines when preparing your nomination.
Only affiliates in good standing with the Wisconsin Historical Society may be nominated for the award. An affiliate that has previously received the trophy is not eligible to be nominated again for a period of 25 years following its selection to receive the trophy.
Employees and members of the Board of Curators of the Wisconsin Historical Society are not eligible to receive awards.
An affiliate selected to receive the Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy must demonstrate the excellence of its achievements in collecting, preserving, and sharing history.
Collecting and preserving history may include acquisition and preservation of museum artifacts, historic buildings, archaeological sites, archival and manuscript records, photographs and visual images, and oral history interviews and recordings. Examples of excellence in collecting and preserving history include:
- Acquiring historical materials that represent the breadth and diversity of a community's past
- Preserving historical materials with appropriate climate control, maintaining appropriate collection records, or implementing restoration with appropriate standards
- Informing a society's members and the public about the need for proper care of historical materials in public or private ownership
Sharing history with the public may include providing historical information and education through public programs, school programs, tours, historic sites and exhibits, historical markers, published material, and broadcast media. Examples of excellence in sharing history include:
- Employing a variety of services to provide historical education or addressing a variety of historical topics that represent the breadth and diversity of a community's past
- Providing historical information and education to a variety of audiences
- Maintaining appropriate standards of historical accuracy based on historical research and professional standards
- Partnering with other community organizations to promote history
The impact of an affiliate's overall services to its own community is a major component used in evaluating nominations for the Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy. A small affiliate that provides excellent overall service to a small community can compete with a larger affiliate that provides excellent overall service to a larger community.
March 10 of each year (postmarked or delivered)
To nominate an affiliate for the award, the nominator must submit a narrative describing the accomplishments of the affiliate over at least the previous five years. The narrative may not exceed 10 single-spaced pages. All nominations must include:
- The name of the affiliated historical organization
- The name and address of the president of the affiliate
- The name, address, phone number, and e-mail address of the author of the nomination
Send applications to:
Wisconsin Historical Society
Attention: Local History Outreach - Thwaites Award
816 State Street
Madison, WI 53706
Awards are initially reviewed by a committee of judges appointed by the Society and then approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Curators. The date and presentation of the award will be made at a time and location convenient for the recipient.
Past Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy for Local History Award Winners
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2026 — Door County Historical Society
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2025 — Portage County Historical Society
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2024 — Bayfield Heritage Association
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2023 — Marathon County Historical Society
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2022 — Ripon Historical Society
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2021 — Milwaukee County Historical Society
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2020 — Sauk County Historical Society
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2019 — Manitowoc County Historical Society
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2018 — Juneau County Historical Society
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2017 — Port Washington Historical Society
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2016 — Oulu Historical Society
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2015 — Rock County Historical Society
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2014 — Evansville Grove Society
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2013 — De Pere Historical Society
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2012 — Sheboygan Historical Society
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2011 — Bay View Historical Society
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2010 — Dunn County Historical Society
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2009 — Heritage Military Music Foundation
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2008 — No trophy conferred
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2007 — Mid-Continent Railway Historical Society
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2006 — Chippewa Valley Museum
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2005 — Burnett County Historical Society
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2004 — Wisconsin Marine Historical Society
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2003 — Fort Atkinson Historical Society
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2002 — DeForest Historical Society
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2001 — Mount Horeb Area Historical Society
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2000 — Watertown Historical Society
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1999 — Two Rivers Historical Society
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1998 — New Berlin Historical Society
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1997 — Cedarburg Cultural Center
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1996 — Portage County Historical Society
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1995 — Merrill Historical Society
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1994 — McFarland Historical Society
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1993 — Vernon County Historical Society
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1992 — Mazomanie Historical Society
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1991 — Clear Lake Historical Society
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1990 — Manitowoc County Historical Society
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1989 — Marathon County Historical Society
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1988 — Kenosha County Historical Society
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1987 — Wisconsin Slovak Historical Society
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1986 — Bay View Historical Society
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1985 — Wauwatosa Historical Society
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1984 — Manitowoc Maritime Museum
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1983 — New Holstein Historical Society
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1982 — La Crosse County Historical Society
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1981 — Outagamie County Historical Society
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1980 — Waukesha County Historical Society
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1979 — Chippewa Valley Museum
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1978 — St. Croix County Historical Society
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1977 — Hawks Inn Historical Society
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1976 — Brown County Historical Society
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1975 — Ripon Historical Society
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1974 — Menomonee Falls Historical Society
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1973 — Barron County Historical Society
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1972 — Fort Atkinson Historical Society
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1971 — Rock County Historical Society
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1970 — Dunn County Historical Society
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1969 — Ozaukee County Historical Society
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1968 — Beloit Historical Society
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1967 — Milwaukee County Historical Society
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1966 — Wild Rose Historical Society
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1965 — Watertown Historical Society
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1964 — Fond du Lac County Historical Society
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1963 — Oconto County Historical Society
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1962 — South Wood County Historical Society
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1961 — Douglas County Historical Society
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1960 — Northland Historical Society
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1959 — Menasha Historical Society
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1958 — Marathon County Historical Society
Become a Local History Affiliate!
Not an affiliate yet? The Wisconsin Historical Society’s Outreach program supports 440+ organizations statewide with resources, training, and opportunities to share community stories. Apply for affiliation with the Wisconsin Historical Society today!
Questions about the Thwaites Trophy for Local History?
We're here to help you get the information you need. Please reach out.
Janet Seymour
Outreach Director
Last Updated: June 30, 2026
