The State Historical Society of Iowa presented its annual Excellence in History Awards during a recent ceremony in Des Moines, recognizing outstanding contributions to the state’s history in several categories. Kenneth Quinn, former U.S. ambassador to Cambodia and former World Food Prize Foundation leader, received the William J. Petersen/Edgar R. Harlan Award, which honors long-term or ongoing contributions to Iowa history. The other award winners are:

• The Benjamin F. Shambaugh Award, given to the author of the most significant book on Iowa history, went to Dr. Eric Steven Zimmer for “Red Earth Nation.”
• The Excellence in Archaeology and Historic Preservation Award, which honors exemplary archaeology or preservation projects completed in the past year, was presented to Tom Richards for his work on the Nevada Journal Building.
• The George Mills & Louise Noun Popular History Award for the best popular history article on an Iowa topic was awarded to Cassandra Jensen for her piece in Iowa Magazine.
• The Loren Horton Community History Award recognized Mike Day for projects that increased public awareness of local history through features in the Dubuque Telegraph-Herald.
• The Mildred Throne/Charles Aldrich Award, celebrating the most significant article in a professional history journal, went to Emily Bronswick for her work on Black Iowa women’s activism in the Annals of Iowa.
• The Excellence in Archaeology and Historic Preservation Award, which honors exemplary archaeology or preservation projects completed in the past year, was presented to Tom Richards for his work on the Nevada Journal Building.
• The George Mills & Louise Noun Popular History Award for the best popular history article on an Iowa topic was awarded to Cassandra Jensen for her piece in Iowa Magazine.
• The Mildred Throne/Charles Aldrich Award, celebrating the most significant article in a professional history journal, went to Emily Bronswick for her work on Black Iowa women’s activism in the Annals of Iowa.