Vermont Business Magazine Every year the Vermont Historical Society presents the League of Local Historical Societies & Museums Achievement Awards. These awards recognize the exceptional work being done by individuals and community heritage organizations throughout the state to collect, preserve and share Vermont’s rich history. Seven Awards were presented this year in conjunction with the League of Local Historical Societies and Museums Annual Meeting on October 28, 2017 in Lyndon, VT.
An Award of Excellence in Historic Preservation & Collections Care went to the Reading Historical Society for their Museum Move project with Special Distinction for President Esther Allen. In 2015 the Society was given the opportunity for a long-term lease on an old church building in town- which served as the impetus to clean, preserve, move, & inventory the entire collection, much of which had not been seen or handled by anyone in years. Society members also nominated President Esther Allen for an Individual Award in honor of her leadership and guidance on this tremendous project. Citing her dedication and enthusiasm as the driving force behind the society’s renewal.
Award of Excellence in Publications went to the Stowe Historical Society for their book The Stowe I’ve Grown to Know by Chuck Dudley. The Stowe I've Grown to Know introduces the newcomer to a taste of many aspects of the community and brings to life details of familiar names and places to those who live here or visit frequently.
Award of Excellence in Publications went to the Bethel Historical Society for their book Vermont Stones-Italian Bones by H. William Johansen. Vermont Stones/Italian Bones tells the story of the Italian immigrants who came to Bethel, VT at the beginning of the twentieth century to work Bethel’s white granite. Johansen’s book provides a vivid picture of where and how these Italian immigrants lived and the cultural challenges that they faced.
Award of Merit in Publications went to the Chittenden County Historical Society for their book Lilian Baker Carlisle-Vermont Historian, Burlington Treasure- A Scrapbook Memoir by Joanna Tebbs Young. The Chittenden County Historical Society spent ten years perfecting a tribute to Lilian Baker Carlisle -- historian, author, politician, preservationist, champion for equality and the environment, and founder of the Chittenden County Historical Society. In 2016, the professional services of Joanna Tebbs Young were engaged. Ms Young took the research and work done by the previous teams and immersed herself in learning about Lilian's life and accomplishments.
Award of Merit in Publications went to the Worcester Historical Society for their book The Cow That Tried to Swallow a Potato: A Quirky History of Worcester, VT by J David Book, Douglas E Hull & Dell Waterhouse. The book incorporates oral histories, primary source materials, historical essays, newspaper research, and more into a mostly chronological presentation of odd stories, creating a narrative thread that leads the reader through the decades with both continuing curiosity and amusement.
There were two Individual Achievement Awards this year. The first went to Richard P Stowell for his dedicated support of the Milton Historical Society and the second Individual Achievement Award went to John M Quinn for his enthusiasm and his service which has enhanced the Montgomery Historical Society’s community visibility and fiscal sustainability.