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State Historical Society seeks nominations for Governor’s Awards, board positions

State Historical Society seeks nominations for Governor’s Awards, board positions

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota State Historical Society in Pierre is seeking nominations for the annual Governor’s Awards for History and two open positions on its board of trustees.

The Governor’s Awards include recognition for individuals, organizations and also a K-12 History Teacher of the Year.

People interested in making a nomination should visit www.history.sd.gov or contact the State Historical Society at Jeff.Mammenga@state.sd.us or (605) 773-6000 to receive the nomination form. The nomination forms are due back to the society by Feb. 27. The nominations will be reviewed by a subcommittee of the board of trustees and the winners will receive their awards during the society’s annual history conference on April 29 in Sioux Falls.

“We encourage people who know individuals, organizations or teachers who have excelled at preserving South Dakota history to nominate them for the awards,” said Jay D. Vogt, director of the State Historical Society. “Nominees need not be members of the State Historical Society.”

Extraordinary individuals could be considered for the Robinson Award, the society’s highest honor, recognizing a lifetime of preserving state history. The Robinson is not awarded every year.

The Schell Award, selected by a separate panel of judges, is given to the author of the best article in the previous year’s volume of “South Dakota History,” the society’s award-winning quarterly journal.

Nominations are also being sought for two members of the society’s board of trustees -- a member at-large and the professional archaeologist. Nominees must be members of the State Historical Society. The incumbents in those positions are David Wolff of Spearfish (at-large) and Richard Harnois of Pierre (archaeologist).

Trustee nomination forms may be obtained the same way as award nomination forms. They are due back to the society by March 3. The three-year trustee positions are voted on by members of the society. The winners are announced at the history conference on April 28.

Call (605) 773-6000 with questions on either the Governor’s Awards or the board of trustees openings.

About the South Dakota State Historical Society
The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Education. The State Historical Society, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is headquartered at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The center houses the society’s world-class museum, the archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development offices. Call (605) 773-3458 or visit www.history.sd.gov for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.