DES MOINES, IOWA (June 30, 2025) — State Historical Society Board of Trustees Chair, Dr Terrence Lindell, and Administrator Valerie Van Kooten joined the State Historical Society of Iowa Board of Trustees to bestow the annual Excellence in History Awards during a ceremony today at the State Historical Society Museum in Des Moines, Iowa.
The awards honor individuals, organizations, and communities that make outstanding contributions to the field of Iowa history.
“At the State Historical Society, we take pride in connecting Iowans to the people, places, and points of pride that define our state,” stated Van Kooten.
This year’s list of award-winners included individuals and projects in nearly every part of the state.
Here are the winners of this year’s Excellence in Iowa History Awards:
The Benjamin F Shambaugh Award recognizes the author of the most significant book published on Iowa history each year. It is named in honor of Benjamin F Shambaugh, who for forty years was the superintendent of the State Historical Society of Iowa, professor of political economy at the University of Iowa, and one of the founders of the “new social science” at the turn of the 20th century.
Awardee: Dr Eric Steven Zimmer for his book, Red Earth Nation.
Certificate of Merit: Bill R Douglass for his book, The People Are Kind.
The Excellence in Archaeology and Historic Preservation Award recognizes the best archaeology or historic preservation project at the local or state level. To be eligible, the archaeology or preservation work must have been completed during the previous calendar year. All types of preservation work are included and the award is not exclusive to building preservation.
Awardee: Tom Richards of Nevada, Iowa, for his work on the Nevada Journal Building.
The George Mills Louise Noun Popular History Award recognizes the author of the most significant popular history article on an Iowa history topic published during each calendar year. It is named in honor of Iowa reporter and popular historian George Mills and women’s historian and philanthropist Louise Noun.
Awardee: Cassandra Jensen for her article “Diane Oliver’s Unfinished Story,” which appeared in the Iowa Magazine.
Certificate of Recognition: Michael Schreiber for his article “The Hope Rogers Story: From Mental Illness . . . to Making a Difference” which appeared in the May 2024 issue of the Iowa Source.
The Loren Horton Community History Award is named in honor of Loren Horton, who served in many capacities at the State Historical Society of Iowa from 1973 until his retirement in 1996. As the Society’s field-services coordinator, and, later, as senior historian, Horton’s work brought him into close contact with many local historical organizations. In keeping with that legacy, this award recognizes the best project that increases awareness and participation in Iowa history on a local level.
Awardee: Mike Day for his work on “The Tri-States Cafes and Drive-ins” and “The Tri-States Supper Clubs,” which were published by the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald.
Certificate of Recognition: Carla Roghair for her work on the A R Dabney Family Project.
The Mildred Throne/Charles Aldrich Award recognizes the author of the most significant article on Iowa history in a professional history journal during the previous calendar year. It is named in honor of Mildred Throne, longtime editor of the Iowa Journal of History and Politics, and Charles Aldrich, who founded the third series of the Annals of Iowa.
Awardee: Emily Bronswick, a 2021 graduate from the University of Iowa for her article “’I Felt if Things Didn’t Change, the World Would Come to an End’: Black Iowa Women’s Activism During the Civil Rights Era, 1945-1965”, which appeared in the Summer 2024 edition of the Annals of Iowa.
The William J. Petersen/Edgar R 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 was the long-time curator of the State Historical Society in Iowa City. Harlan was the second director and curator of the Historical Department of Iowa and played a key role in acquiring many of the museum’s most important collections.
Awardee: Ambassador Kenneth Quinn
The State Historical Society of Iowa has been a trustee of Iowa’s historical legacy since 1857. With a dual mission of preservation and education, it maintains a museum, two research centers, and seven historic sites. The society preserves and provides access to Iowa’s historical resources through a variety of statewide programs, exhibitions, and projects while serving as an advocate for Iowa’s past and connector to the future. The society is part of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services. Follow the State Historical Society of Iowa on Facebook and Instagram.
