FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Georgia Historical Society to present UGA Press and Authors with Bell and Hawes Awards

Savannah, Ga., August 28, 2013 - The Georgia Historical Society will present two awards for writing and publishing excellence at a ceremony tomorrow at the University of Georgia in Athens.

The Malcolm Bell, Jr., and Muriel Barrow Bell Award, established in 1992 to honor the best book in Georgia history, will be presented to Drew A. Swanson and the University of Georgia Press for his book Remaking Wormsloe Plantation: The Environmental History of a Lowcountry Landscape.

The Lilla M. Hawes Award, established in 1993 to recognize the outstanding county or local history book pertaining to Georgia, will be awarded to Ren and Helen Davis and the University of Georgia Press for their book Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery: An Illustrated History and Guide.

"We are pleased to honor Mr. Swanson and Mr. and Mrs. Davis for their contributions to preserving public history in Georgia," said Dr. W. Todd Groce, President and C.E.O. of the Georgia Historical Society.  "We also honor the University of Georgia Press for their role in making publications like these available for future generations."

The ceremony will take place Thursday, August 29 at 11:00 a.m. in the conference room of the UGA College of Environment and Design, 285 South Jackson Street in Athens.  The public is invited to attend.

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Georgia Historical Society (GHS) is the premier independent statewide institution responsible for collecting, examining and teaching Georgia history. GHS houses the oldest and most distinguished collection of materials related exclusively to Georgia history in the nation.