Georgia Historical Society Annual Awards

Tom Watson Brown, Jr. (Tad), left, accepts the 2007 John Macpherson Berrien Award for lifetime achievement in Georgia history on behalf of his late father, Tom Watson Brown, from GHS President & CEO W. Todd Groce, right

The John Macpherson Berrien Award: The Berrien Award is given for a lifetime of achievement in and service to Georgia history. The award is presented annually by GHS in the Spring. The award was established in 2000 and named in honor of John Macpherson Berrien, one of the founders of GHS and the Society's first president. He also served in the U.S. Senate and as Attorney General. Previous winners include:

2008: Bradley Hale, Atlanta

2007: Tom Watson Brown, Atlanta

         (posthumous)

2006: Craig Barrow III, Savannah

2005: W. W. Abbot, Charlottesville, VA

2004: George Hooks, Americus

2003: Emma & Lee Adler, Savannah

2002: Edwin L. Jackson, Athens

2001: Edward J. Cashin, Augusta

2000: Malcolm Bell, Jr. (posthumous)

Malcolm Bell, Jr., and Muriel Barrow Bell Award: This award was established in 1992 to honor the best book in Georgia history published the previous year. The award is named in honor of Malcolm Bell, Jr. and Muriel Barrow Bell in recognition of their contribution to the recording of Georgia's history and carries a cash prize of $500. The award is presented annually at GHS's Annual Meeting in Savannah. The submission deadline is December 1 of each year. Four copies of the books submitted should be sent to GHS. Nominated books cannot be returned. For more information and to see a list of previous winners, click on the individual link above.

Lilla M. Hawes Award: This award was established in 1993 to recognize the outstanding county or local history book pertaining to Georgia. The award honors Lilla M. Hawes, the Society's Director from 1948 to 1976 and carries a cash prize of $500. The award is presented annually at GHS's Annual Meeting in Savannah. The submission deadline is December 1 of each year. Four copies of the books submitted should be sent to GHS. Nominated books cannot be returned. For more information and to see a list of previous winners, click on the individual link above.

E. Merton Coulter Award: This award was established in 1973 for the best article published in The Georgia Historical Quarterly during the previous year. The award honors Dr. E. Merton Coulter, editor of the Quarterly from 1923 to 1973, and carries a cash prize of $250. The award is presented annually at GHS's Annual Meeting in Savannah.

William Bacon Stevens Award: This award was established in 1980 for the best article published by a student (full-time student at the time of the article's submission) in The Georgia Historical Quarterly in the previous year. The award honors William Bacon Stevens, one of Georgia's premier historians and a founder of the Society, and carries a cash prize of $250 and a framed certificate. The award is given annually if warranted, and at a minimum every other year.

Roger Warlick Local History Achievement Awards: These awards were established in 1998 to recognize outstanding achievements by a local history organization and are named in honor of Roger Warlick, president of the Society from 1990 to 1994. Deadline for submissions is December 1 of each year. The awards are presented annually at GHS's Annual Meeting in Savannah. For more information, click on the individual link above. Awards are given in the following categories:

• Programs
• Preservation
• Archival Excellence
• Exhibits
• Media

J.C. Bonner Award: This award is presented jointly with Georgia College & State University for the best Master's thesis on Georgia history in the previous year. The award is named in honor of James C. Bonner, former professor of history at GCSU and carries a cash prize of $500. The award is presented annually in the fall. Nominations should be made to the director for the Center for the Study of Georgia History, History Dept., Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, GA,  31061.  For more information contact William Harris Bragg by email at GCSU.  

Sarah Nichols Pinckney Volunteer of the Year Award: This award recognizes individuals and groups who have selflessly contributed their time and resources to advance the mission of the Georgia Historical Society. It is named in honor of Sarah Pinckney, who for many years has given so generously of her time and resources to this organization. The award is presented annually in the Spring. Previous winners include:

2008: Archie H. Davis, Savannah
2007: Dolly Chisholm, Savannah
2006: Darlene Wilson, Savannah
2005: Lara Gill, Sumter Historic Trust
2004: Savannah Area Genealogical Association
2003: Leigh Lawless, Savannah
2002: Gordon Varnedoe & Harry Jennings, Savannah
2001: Rita Trotz, Savannah
2000: Lorraine Warlick, Savannah
1999: Robert Glenn, Savannah