DES MOINES, IOWA (June 3, 2026) — During the past year, historians, and historic preservationists continued to make contributions to the study and practice of Iowa history. To honor their efforts, the State Historical Society of Iowa has awarded the following individuals and organizations an Excellence in Iowa History Award, which recognizes outstanding publications, local history initiatives, and major achievements in Iowa history.
Benjamin F Shambaugh Award
Award: We Were Still Ladies: Gender and Industrial Unionism in the Midwest after World War II
By Coreen Derifield, Publisher: University of Iowa Press
Certificate of Merit: Amelia Bloomer: Journalist, Suffragist, Anti-Fashion Icon
By Sara Catterall, Publisher: Belt Publishing
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.
Dorothy Schwieder Excellence in Research Award
The State Historical Society of Iowa declined to award the Dorothy Schwieder Excellence in Research Award in 2026.
Dorothy Schwieder Excellence in Research Award is a biennial award that recognizes the most significant research and contribution to the body of knowledge in Iowa history and is the top research and writing award given by the board during the two-year period. It is named in honor of Dorothy Schwieder, an American historian, biographer, and academic. Schwieder spent nearly fifty years in academia and was an authority in the field of Iowa history. The award is made in even-numbered years.
George Mills and Louise Noun Popular History Award
Award: “A Symbol of Hope: Robert Ray Welcomes Southeast Asian Refugees"
By Matthew Walsh, Publication: Iowa History Journal (May/June 2025)
Certificate of Recognition: “A Profile in Judicial Courage”
By C J Williams, Publication: Iowa History Journal (July/August 2025)
Certificate of Recognition: “The Other Side of the Tracks”
By Mike Day, Publication: The Telegraph Herald (August 2025)
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.
Loren Horton Community History Award
Award: Moville Museum
Grace Linden & Moville Historical Society
Certificate of Recognition: The Story of Frank Loyd Wright’s Stockman House
Cindy Wilson
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.
Mildred Throne and Charles Aldrich Scholarly History Award
Award: "Making Dvořák Iowan: Perle Schmidt, Spillville, and the Construction of Iowa's Musical Identity"
By Marian Wilson Kimber, Publication: The Annals of Iowa Volume 84, Number 1
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.
William J Petersen and Edgar R Harlan Lifetime Achievement Award
Award: John Zeller
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.
Research Matters Award
Certificate of Achievement: Preus Library, Luther College
Certificate of Merit: Parks Library, Iowa State University
Certificate of Merit: Ames Public Library
Excellence in Archaeology and Historic Preservation Award
Award: Removal of Alluvial Sediments from the Basement of the Motor Mill, Clayton County, Iowa, Christopher Schoen
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.
Preservation Projects of Merit
Judith A McClure Award: Edward H Jones House
693 19th St, Des Moines, Iowa 50314
Property/Project Owner: Rally Cap Properties LLC Architectural Firm: Andrew Lorentzen Preservation Consultant: Kelli Lydon Contractor(s) and subcontractor(s): Billy Bell, Humberto Vargas, Jim Konen, Alt Design Studio
Adrian D Anderson Award: The French Way 412
Euclid Ave, Des Moines, Iowa 50313
Property/Project Owner: Connor Delaney/Euclid Foresight LLC Architectural Firm: Pete Goché/Goché Inclusions Preservation Consultant: Alexa McDowell/A.KAY Consulting Contractor(s) and subcontractor(s): SHYFT Collective
Margaret Keyes Award: Churchill Lofts
100-122 N 4th St, Burlington, Iowa, 52601
Property/Project Owner: Manisha Baheti, Yash Restoration Architectural Firm: John Mahon, Bray Associates Architects Preservation Consultant: Marion Meginnis, Davenport Historic Preservation Consulting LLC Contractor(s) and subcontractor(s): Troy and Tina Stender, Green Star Construction Other team members: Joe Erenberger, Levi Ritchie, and Tom Piehl, Yash Restoration
William J Wagner Award: Warnock Benson Building
701-705 Douglas St, Sioux City, Iowa 51101
Property/Project Owner: Harkay Development LLC Architectural Firm: Stone Group Architects Preservation Consultant: Jim Jacobsen; Stone Group Architects Contractor(s) and subcontractor(s): Nelson Commercial Construction
These awards recognize historic preservation projects that exemplify the best of preservation practices, meet the US Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings and utilize the State Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program. Eligible projects are those which received final approval for state tax credits during the Iowa 2025 fiscal year, July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
Learn more about the Excellence in History Awards.
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.
Visit history.iowa.gov to learn more. Follow the State Historical Society of Iowa on Facebook and Instagram.
