Wisconsin Historical Society accepting nominations for 2026 Board of Curators Awards

WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) is currently accepting nominations for its 2026 Board of Curators Awards.

A release from the WHS said the annual awards recognize individuals and organizations for exceptional work relating to the Society's mission.

Award categories include historic preservation, restoration, genealogy and more.

Nominations will be accepted in the following categories:

• Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy for Local History – presented annually to a Wisconsin Historical Society affiliate for excellence in service to its community.
• Book of Merit Award – presented to the author of a book on Wisconsin history that made a valuable contribution to public understanding of Wisconsin's past during the preceding calendar year.
• Wisconsin Family History Book Award – presented in partnership with the Wisconsin State Genealogical Society, honors the top genealogy history book with substantial Wisconsin interest or connection.
• Governor's Archives Awards – the Wisconsin Historical Records Advisory Board (WHRAB) co-presents awards in this category focused on historical records and manuscripts in Wisconsin.
• Historic Preservation and Rehabilitation Awards – recognizes exemplary projects that have preserved or restored a part of Wisconsin's heritage.
• Museum Exhibit Awards – two awards for historical exhibits with Wisconsin themes are offered each year: one for an exhibition budget $5,000.00 or less and one for an exhibition budget greater than $5,000.00.
• Public Program Award – honors outstanding work in a new Wisconsin history public program.
• William Best Hesseltine Award – selected by readers and awarded for the best original article of the volume year of the Wisconsin Magazine of History.

The nomination deadline is Tuesday, March 10.

Award winners will be announced this summer.

To learn more about the Board of Curators Awards, visit www.tinyurl.com/29kasabm.

About the Wisconsin Historical Society

The Wisconsin Historical Society, founded in 1846, ranks as one of the largest, most active and most diversified state historical societies in the nation. As both a state agency and a private membership organization, its mission is to help people connect to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. The Wisconsin Historical Society serves millions of people every year through a wide range of sites, programs and services.

For more information, visit www.wisconsinhistory.org.