Olive Foster Award program revived

Thanks to the generosity of a Centralia teacher, one of the Society's most prestigious award programs is being revived. When Alta McCullough passed away early last year, she bequeathed 20 percent of her estate to the Society. The gift, she said, was to be used expressly to support the Olive Foster Award program for Illinois history teachers. Starting at next year's Annual Meeting, the Society will not only reinstitute the award—it will expand the annual number of recipients from one to three.

Olive Foster was the Illinois State Historian in the days when the Society and the Historical Library were still closely linked. She directed the Society's school services program and also originated the Illinois History Program for students. When she passed away, the Society established the Olive Foster Award in her honor. It was first presented in 1988. Its purpose is to recognize and reward fulltime active teachers for outstanding contributions to the study and teaching of state and local history in Illinois. Past recipients have actively promoted Illinois history in their schools as well as communities. They have also used the Illinois State Historical Society, other state level history-related agencies, and local societies and museums to enrich their classroom programs.

Society board member Happy Dean of Peoria was an early Olive Foster winner. She now chairs the Society's Education Committee, which manages the award.

"Olive Foster was a perfect example of the qualities and expertise a teacher should have," Ms. Dean said. "She was an attractive lady with a magnetic personality that inspired others to share her passion for bringing Illinois history into the classroom. We are privileged to honor her memory and legacy through this award."

Next April 25 at the Society's Annual Meeting in Nauvoo, Olive Foster Awards will be presented to a primary grades teacher, a middle school teacher and a high school teacher. Winners will receive $500 apiece, plus expenses for attending the meeting. Any group or person in Illinois, including the candidates themselves, may submit nominations. They are due no later that January 15, 2003, at the Society's office in Springfield. Each should include the following information:

• The nominee's name
• The nominee's name and address
• The subject(s) and grade(s) that the nominee teaches
• The nominator's name and contact information
• The school where the nominee is employed
• The name and contact information of the nominee's principal
• The nominee's educational background
• The nominee's professional experience

• A narrative description of the nominee's outstanding classroom accomplishments. This should include specific history units taught by the nominee and information about local museums or historical societies that were involved. Commentary on the results or impact of the programs and also how they were developed may be included. Other awards won by the nominee or nominee's students may also be listed.

• Letters of support or recommendation (optional) The Society will coordinate the judging of all nominations and the selection of winners. ()

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AIMHS Awards Program Guidelines

INTRODUCTION

Through its annual awards program, the Illinois State Historical Society recognizes and encourages the efforts of individuals, groups, or organizations that collect, preserve, and disseminate state, local, regional, ethnic, or specialized history. Awards may be given in any or all of the eight categories in a given year and, at the discretion of the Awards Committee, more than one award may be given per category. Likewise, if no qualified project has been nominated, the Committee may decide not to give an award. The Award Committee reserves the right to move a nomination into another category if the supporting materials so warrants. All decisions of the Committee are final.

ELIGIBILITY
Any individual, group, or organization that has furthered the collection, and/or interpretation of an aspect of Illinois history is eligible to be nominated for an Illinois State Historical Society award.

NOMINATIONS
A. Nominations may be made by any individual or group. Individuals may be nominated for only one award category each year.

B. The accomplishment for which an award is given will generally have been completed during the preceding year (from January 1 to December 31, 2002).

JUDGING
A. Judging is done by an Awards Committee appointed by the President of the Illinois State Historical Society

B. Supplemental documentation is an essential aspect of the Awards Committee evaluation. Examples include:
1. Evidence of recognition by organizations or medal in the locality or state at large.
2. Informed opinion of persons familiar with the achievement
3. Published reviews
4. Evidence that work meets appropriate professional criteria.

C. Presentation of awards will take place at the Illinois State Historical Society 2003 Annual Meeting. Details will be provided to

AWARD LEVELS
A. Award of Superior Achievement: Recognition of superior achievement that serves as a model for the profession and reaches a greater

B. Certificate of Excellence: Recognition of work of exemplary quality showing considerable creativity, serious scholarship, and/or an efficient utilization of resources

CATERGORIES
1. PUBLICATIONS
a. Scholarly: For an original scholarly work of one or more volumes that adds to the knowledge of state and local history. Normally such work would show evidence of original research and interpretation and would include at least one of the following: bibliography, footnotes,and index.

b. Other Publications: Single works by one or more authors that compile, preserve, and/or interpret state or local history, thereby increasing community awareness. These works may or may not be commissioned or sponsored by an organization.

c. Book of the Year. Honors the best book published within the past year dealing with some aspect of Illinois History. Criteria include scope, scholarship, effectiveness of writing, and relevancy of subject.

2. NON-BOOK MATERIALS

a. Ongoing/Periodical: Newsletter, journals, and other publications issued on a continuing basis.

b. Meritorious Periodicals Award. Honors the finest periodical literature created by Illinois historical societies and museums, including but not limited to newsletters, magazines, and journals. Criteria include scope of work, quality of data, effectiveness of presentation, user accessibility, and relevancy of subject

c. Special Projects: Newly created or revised informational brochures, pamphlets or booklets, development programs, posters, calendars, annual reports, etc.

d. Best Website. Honors the finest websites treating themes in Illinois history. Works evaluated for scope, quality of data, effectiveness of presentation, user accessibility, and relevancy of subject. Nominators are required to submit both the website URL and photocopies of sample web pages, and supporting documentation—letters, reviews, and ancillary material—as necessary.

3. COLLECTION/PRESERVATION: Projects dealing with conservation, restoration, and/or preservation of two- and three-dimensional historic, scientific, or art objects in an organization's collections. Supporting evidence and documentation must describe planning, rationale, budget, and evaluation procedures.

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4. PUBLIC PROGRAMMING

a. Multimedia Production: Creation and presentation of productions, whether privately or institutionally sponsored, that promote knowledge and appreciation of our heritage. Such productions might include videos, CD-ROMs, or slide presentations. To be eligible, the materials created must be on deposit in an institution that makes them available to the public.

b. Exhibitions: Development, fabrication, and implementation of permanent, temporary, or traveling exhibits organized by the nominee. Supporting evidence and documentation must describe planning rationale, budget, and evaluation procedures.

c. Education Programs: Formal and informal instructional programs with goals and objectives related to the nominees mission statement and programs. Textbooks and instructional materials that are available to the public are also eligible. Supporting evidence and documentation must describe planning, rationale, budget, and evaluation procedures.

5. SPECIAL PROJECTS

For initiation and completion of a specific project that increases awareness of state and local history. Nominations should include appropriate documentation, such as videotapes, photographs, brochures, catalogs, and reviews. Generally, a special project is a one-time project developed and implemented to achieve a specific purpose.

6. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

This award is given to an individual for sustained and varied contributions to state and local history. Nominations must include appropriate documentation of the individual's activity in her or his service at the state or local level.

7. MALKOVICH AWARD FOR A YOUNG MUSEUM PROFESSIONAL

This award is given in recognition of outstanding accomplishment of a fulltime museum professional under the age of 30 (as of the deadline date). Criteria for choosing a winner will include, but not be limited to, leadership in the field exemplified by holding office or serving on a committee of a professional organization; presentations at workshops or conferences; publications; contributions to research in an area of expertise; and creativity and vision as it relates to his or her current position. The award includes a stipend to attend the Midwest Museums Conference Annual Meeting.

ISHS & AIMHS AWARDS PROGRAM APPLICATION COVER SHEET

Complete and mail five (5) copies of this form with five (5) copies of your supporting materials to: Russell L. Lewis The Chicago Historical Society 1601 North Clark Street Chicago. Illinois 60614 Nominations must be postmarked by January 15, 2003. Please include a $20 entiy fee made payable to the Illinois State Historical Society. For additional information, please call 217-525-2781, fax 217-525-2783, or email at ishs@eosinc.com