The Pioneer America Society Historic Preservation Award of Merit annually recognizes the preservation, interpretation, instruction, celebration, or exhibition of American material culture.

Eligibility

Eligible activities include, but are not limited to:

• Restoring, rehabilitating, or otherwise preserving an important building, site, or artifact(s) representing North American material culture;

• Providing longtime stewardship of a property or artifact;

• Funding projects which preserve North American material culture;

• Instructing others in the field of North American material culture / preservation;

• Providing leadership and service in support of material culture / preservation at the local, state, or national level;

• Supporting activities (not including publications) which have substantially increased public understanding and awareness of material culture / preservation, such as educational programs, special events, exhibitions or media productions.

Who is Eligible?

Individuals, organizations, businesses, institutions, and public agencies are eligible for the Award

Nominations

Nominations are accepted annually from the region or area where the Pioneer America Society Annually Meeting is being held. Watch for future announcements about the next annual awards and how to obtain a nomination form.

Selection

One Merit Award winner and up to three honorable mentions may be chosen by a selection committee appointed by the Executive Director of the Pioneer America Society.

Awards

The Merit Award winner will receive a plaque and a one-year institutional membership. The Honorable Mention winners will receive one free registration and banquet ticket. Awards are presented at the Pioneer America Society Annual Meeting, held in October or November of each calendar year.

Deadline

Nominations must be postmarked by September 1st of any given year. The selection committee will not consider late or incomplete nominations.

Contact

Please send the name of your nominee along with relevant supporting materials, to:

Robert Sherman, Chair
328 South Douglas Avenue
Springfield, Illinois 62704-1725
boborkathys@aol.com

2004 Recipient: Save The Speaker's House, Inc.

This award went to Save the Speaker’s House, Inc. of Collegeville, Pennsylvania for their work in saving the Frederick Muhlenberg House from demolition by a large pharmacy chain. The group plans to restore the house as a museum. Accepting the award were Al and Barbara Douglas.

2004 Honorable Mention:

(1) Franconia Historical Society for preventing the demolition of the Jonas G. Leidy House. Accepting the award were members Vickie Stauffer and Kate Nuss.
(2) Upper Moreland Historical Association for encouraging the adoption of local historic preservation ordinances and for organizing bus tours of local historic sites.

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