Nomination Categories for State History Awards

The Lifetime Achievement award recognizes an individual person’s body of work over a span of years in the collection, preservation, and/or promotion of state and/or local history. The person’s work can have been in a professional capacity, as a volunteer, or both.

The Distinguished Volunteer Service award recognizes an individual person’s body of work in a volunteer capacity in the collection, preservation, and/or promotion of state and/or local history. While the award is usually presented for a body of work over a span of years, it could also recognize a single significant achievement. This award is presented to an individual only, not a group of people

The Distinguished Professional Service award recognizes an individual person’s body of work in a professional, paid capacity in the collection, preservation, and/or promotion of state and/or local history. While the award is usually presented for a body of work over a span of years, it could also recognize a single significant achievement. This award is presented to an individual only, not a group of people.

The Books: University & Commercial Press award recognizes books pertaining to subjects of Michigan history published by a university or commercial press. While the book’s subject must pertain to Michigan, the author and/or publisher may be from another state. The book should have been published within the preceding three years and not be a reprint of a previously published book unless it has been significantly changed in content.

The Books: Private Printing award recognizes books pertaining to subjects of Michigan history that are either self-published or published by a non-commercial press, such as a museum or historical society. While the book’s subject must pertain to Michigan, the author and/or publisher may be from another state. The book should have been published within the preceding three years and not be a reprint of a previously published book unless it has been significantly changed in content.

The Books: Children & Youth award recognizes books pertaining to subjects of Michigan history that are intended for readers aged 18 years or under. The book may be a publication by a university or commercial press or private printing. While the book’s subject must pertain to Michigan, the author, illustrator, and/or publisher may be from another state. The book should have been published within the preceding three years and not be a reprint of a previously published book unless it has been significantly changed in content.

The Communications: Printed Periodicals award recognizes an organization’s newsletter or other form of printed communication that provides valuable, interesting, and current information about the organization and Michigan history. It should have been produced within the past three years.

The Communications: Websites award recognizes an Internet website that provides valuable, interesting, and current information about the organization and Michigan history. The website may be produced by the organization itself or at the direction of the organization and should have been created or substantially revised within the past three years.

The Education: Educational Programs award recognizes a program designed to engage and help people learn about Michigan history. The program usually occurs over a period of time but can be a one-time event. The program should have occurred within the past three years.

The Education: Educator award recognizes an individual person who is dedicated to Michigan history and shows that dedication by teaching it to children and/or adults. That person could work in a professional or volunteer capacity and may be a teacher, lecturer, program leader, etc.

The Institutions award recognizes an organization that demonstrates excellence in its work in Michigan history. Institutions typically provide items such as information, programs, or exhibits. In contrast to organizations nominated for the Local Societies award, institutions are typically larger and employ several staff members.

The Local Societies award recognizes an organization that demonstrates excellence in its work in Michigan history on a smaller and more limited budget than institutions. A local society typically operates within its city, township, or county and relies on volunteers or a small number of paid staff to carry out events, exhibits, and programming.

The Media award recognizes a single piece of media that focuses on one or more Michigan history topics and conveys that subject to a wide audience. Media nominees can include motion pictures, documentaries, videos, television or radio programs, music or voice recordings, online exhibitions, and podcasts. The media product should have been produced within the past three years.

The Restoration/Preservation award recognizes an organization’s or individual’s project or program that deals with the restoration or preservation of historic Michigan places and/or objects. A substantial portion of the project or program should have occurred within the past three years.

The Special Programs/Events award recognizes a Michigan history-related program or event that occurs over a limited time span and is typically the highlight of the organization’s year. It may or may not be strictly educational in nature and may combine various elements. For example: an exhibit, lecture, or tour focused on a single theme.

There are no nominations for this award; it is decided by the Awards Committee.

There are no nominations for this award; it is decided by the Awards Committee.