State Historical Society of Iowa Press Release

Department of Cultural Affairs seeks history award nominations

Award programs recognize contributions to Iowa history

DES MOINES –The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs seeks nominations for award programs that recognize individuals, organizations and communities that have made outstanding contributions to the study and practice of Iowa history.
 
Nominations must be postmarked by Friday, Feb. 1, 2013, and sent to: State Historical Society of Iowa, 600 E. Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319. The State Historical Society of Iowa is a division of DCA. More information is available at www.iowahistory.org or by contacting Kristen Vander Molen at kristen.vandermolen@iowa.gov or 515-281-4228.

Following is a list of history award programs that have a Feb. 1, 2013, nomination deadline:

Loren Horton Community History Award: Recognizes the best project that increases awareness and participation in Iowa history on a local level. The award recognizes an individual, group, or organization whose outstanding local history project was completed during the previous calendar year. This award is named in honor of Loren Horton, who represented the State Historical Society of Iowa in many capacities from 1973 until his retirement in 1996. As SHSI’s field services coordinator and senior historian, Horton’s work brought him in close contact with many local historical organizations.

Petersen/Harlan Award: The Petersen/Harlan Award recognizes an individual, group, or organization that has made significant long-term or continuing contributions to Iowa history. It is named in honor of two legends at the State Historical Society of Iowa, William J. Petersen and Edgar R. Harlan. Petersen, long-time curator of the State Historical Society in Iowa City, was known for his book, Steamboating on the Mississippi, thus earning the nickname “Steamboat Bill.” Edgar Ruby Harlan, who served as the second director and curator of the Historical Department of Iowa, played a key role in acquiring many of the museum’s most important collections.

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The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs is responsible for developing the state’s interest in the areas of the arts, history and other cultural matters with the advice and assistance from its two divisions: the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Iowa Arts Council. DCA preserves, researches, interprets and promotes an awareness and understanding of local, state and regional history and stimulates and encourages the study and presentation of the performing and fine arts and public interest and participation in them. It implements tourism-related art and history projects as directed by the General Assembly and designs a comprehensive, statewide, long-range plan with the assistance of the Iowa Arts Council to develop the arts in Iowa. More information about DCA is available at www.culturalaffairs.org.

 

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