Note, information listed on this page is subject to change.  Contact the Society for clarification.

PLEASE NOTE:
ALL SUBMISSIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO:

FLORIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ATT: (AWARD NAME)
435 BREVARD AVE.,
COCOA, FL 32922

SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR ALL 2024 AWARDS IS MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2025
 

FLORIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AWARDS

The Florida Historical Society has an extensive honors program recognizing significant contributions to knowledge of our state. Many awards are endowed by generous donors and carry stipends. Awards are presented at a dinner or luncheon during the Florida Historical Society's Public History Forum each spring. The winner of each award (or a representative) must attend the presentation to receive a stipend, which is intended to defer cost of attending.

Please review each of the award categories carefully, as some submission guidelines have changed,
and new categories have been added.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Award categories and entry requirements are outlined below. All entries become the property of the Florida Historical Society and will not be returned.

Entries are evaluated by independent panels of judges appointed by the Society. Judges will carefully consider each entry based on factors including (but not limited to) quality of scholarship, factual accuracy, clarity of expression, original thinking, significance of topic and overall contribution to knowledge of Florida history. The judges' decisions are final.

Send all entries to the Florida Historical Society, 435 Brevard Avenue, Cocoa, FL 32922. Entrants are advised to adhere strictly to deadlines for each award category. The term "submit by..." means entries (or nominations) must be RECEIVED at the Florida Historical Society office by 5 p.m. on the date specified. Entries received later will not be considered. Entries must be clearly marked as to award category.

AWARD CATEGORIES

CHARLTON TEBEAU AWARD:

Named in honor of the late Charlton W. Tebeau, longtime University of Miami history professor and author of the acclaimed book "A History of Florida" among other important works. This category is open to authors or presses for a general-interest book on a Florida history topic published during the calendar year Jan. 1-Dec. 31 preceding the award. Co-authors also are considered. Submit six (6) copies. The winner receives a $200 stipend.

REMBERT PATRICK AWARD:

Named in honor of the late Rembert W. Patrick, longtime University of Florida history professor and author of the acclaimed book "Florida Under Five Flags" and other important works. This category is open to authors or presses for a scholarly book on a Florida history topic published during the calendar year Jan.1-Dec. 31 preceding the award. Co-authors also are considered. Submit six (6) copies. The winner receives a $200 stipend.

PATRICK D. SMITH AWARD:

Named in honor of author Patrick D. Smith, whose novel "A Land Remembered" and other Florida-related books have stimulated greater interest in the literature of our state. This category is open to authors and presses for a book of fiction on a Florida history topic published during the calendar year Jan.1-Dec. 31 preceding the award. Submit six (6) copies. The winner receives a $200 stipend.

HARRY T. AND HARRIETTE V. MOORE AWARD:  

Named in honor of the late Harry and Harriette Moore,who were murdered in 1951 because of their civil rights and voter registration efforts throughout Florida. This category recognizes an outstanding book or monograph relating to Florida's ethnic groups, or dealing with a significant social issue from a historical perspective, published during the calendar year Jan. 1-Dec. 31 preceding the award. Submit six (6) copies of the nominated work. The winner receives a $200 stipend.

STETSON KENNEDY AWARD:  

Dr. William R. Jones, Chair of Black Studies at FSU, has said, "Stetson Kennedy may well go down as our first investigative historian."  A native of Jacksonville, (1916--2011), Stetson authored such works as Palmetto Country, Southern Exposure, The Klan Unmasked, Jim Crow Guide, After Appomattox, and We Charge Genocide.  The foundation which bears his name and seeks to carry forward his legacy is sponsoring this award.  This category is open to authors or presses for books which cast light on historic Florida events in a manner which is supportive of human rights, traditional cultures, or the natural environment published during the calendar year Jan. 1-Dec. 31 preceding the award.  Preference will be given to "exposes" based upon investigative and primary source research.  Co-authors also are considered.  Submit six (6) copies.  The winner receives a $200 stipend.

JAMES J. HORGAN AWARD:

Named in honor of the late James J. Horgan, longtime history professor at St. Leo College and a former Florida Historical Society board member. This category recognizes an outstanding book, monograph or special publication which promotes study of Florida history and heritage, intended for young readers, published during the calendar year Jan. 1-Dec. 31 preceding the award. Submit six (6) copies. The winner receives a $200 stipend.

SAMUEL PROCTOR AWARD:

Named in honor of the late Samuel Proctor, longtime University of Florida professor who founded an extensive oral history program and was for many years editor of the Florida Historical Quarterly. This award recognizes an outstanding oral history project whose content is substantially about Florida, done during the calendar year Jan. 1-Dec. 31 preceding the award. Interviews should meet the ethical guidelines and professional standards of the national Oral History Association. The project should have lasting value in fostering knowledge of Florida. The oral history interviews must be transcribed, with appropriate release forms. Entries can be in the form of a book or published article relying primary on oral history methods; an audio, video or multimedia presentation; a paper given at a conference; or the organization of a conference centered around oral history. Submit four (4) copies of the nominated project. The winner receives a $200 stipend.

ARTHUR W. THOMPSON AWARD:

Named in honor of the late Arthur W. Thompson, longtime University of Florida history professor and former editor of the Florida Historical Quarterly. This award recognizes the most outstanding article appearing in the Florida Historical Quarterly during the preceding publication year. There are no formal nominations for this award. A panel chosen by the editor of the Quarterly will determine the winner. The winner receives a $200 stipend.

HAMPTON DUNN DIGITAL MEDIA AWARD:

This award is named in honor of the late Hampton Dunn, a longtime journalist in newspapers and television, who pioneered efforts to preserve Florida history through photographs. Recognizing outstanding digital media projects expanding knowledge of Florida history. Including but not limited to radio and television programs, podcasts, websites, and other electronic media. Submit six (6) copies of the nominated material on flash drives, or send a link to the material. Include a letter or email explaining the program or project’s purpose, when and where it was broadcast, posted, or archived, and the organization responsible for the materials. The writer, director, producer, designer, or other principal creators should be identified. The winner receives a $200 stipend.

GOV. LeROY COLLINS AWARD:

Named in honor of the late Gov. LeRoy Collins, a distinguished Floridian connected with one of the state's pioneer families, who promoted significant improvements in public education at all levels. This award recognizes the most outstanding thesis or dissertation on Florida history produced by a postgraduate student in a master's or doctoral program at a college or university in the United States. Submit six (6) copies, plus a letter from the directing professor identifying the entrant's name, address and telephone number. Such identifying information must be removed from the entry itself. Entries must be typed, double-spaced and footnoted according to the Turabian Handbook or the Chicago Manual of Style. No other style guide is acceptable. This award carries a $200 stipend; 

CAROLINE MAYS BREVARD AWARD:

Named in honor of the late Caroline Mays Brevard, longtime history professor at the Florida State College for Women (now Florida State University) and devoted member of the Florida Historical Society. This award recognizes the most outstanding essay or research paper on Florida history produced by an undergraduate student at a college or university in the United States. Submit six (6) copies, plus a letter from the directing professor identifying the entrant's name, address and telephone number. Such identifying information must be removed from the entry itself. Entries must be typed, double-spaced and footnoted according to the Turabian Handbook or the Chicago Manual of Style. No other style guide is acceptable. The winner receives a $200 stipend.

JOHN H. HANN AWARD:

Named in honor of the late John H. Hann, Florida historican and author of books on native peoples and their interaction with European colonists.  The John H. Hann award recognizes new scholarship on the colonial era (pre-contact through 1821) in the fields of history or historical archaeology.  The award will be given for articles or book chapters by new scholars.  To be eligible for this award, applicants should be students enrolled in a graduate program (masters or Ph.D.) or should have received their graduate degree within three years of the current year.  Please note, the award is for articles or chapters already published or in the final stages of publication at the time of submission.  Works must be published in an academic and peer-reviewed venue.  Unpublished papers, manuscripts, or thesis chapters are not eligible.  The subject should be colonial Florida or the colonial southeastern borderlands.   All works in these areas are welcome, but preference will be given to research that addresses the dynamic between and among native, Spanish, and African components of Florida history, as exemplified by Hann’s decades of scholarship.  Submit six (6) copies.  The award carries a $200 stipend.

CAROLINE P. ROSSETTER OUTSTANDING WOMAN IN FLORIDA HISTORY:

Named in honor of the late Caroline P. Rossetter, a very successful Florida businesswoman who took over her father’s Standard Oil Agency in 1921 at the age of 23 and ran it successfully for 62 years.  She was a dedicated supporter of the Florida Historical Society. This category is open to women who have given exemplary service (amateur or professional) to the study and promotion of Florida history, and whose service can be documented. Nominations must be made by an individual or organization other than the nominee, and must include a nominating letter, examples of the contributions made by the nominee, plus endorsements by at least three other persons. Nominations will be evaluated by a panel chosen by the Florida Historical Society board of directors. The board may, at its discretion, recognize a person whose activities are so well known as to override the nomination process (nominations in the year the board exercises this prerogative will be carried over to the next year).

DOROTHY DODD OUTSTANDING ARCHIVIST AWARD:  

Named in honor of the late Dorothy Dodd, a former Florida State Librarian and longtime supporter of the Florida Historical Society. This category is open to an archivist at a public, private, or university library, or other archival facility, who has given exemplary service (amateur or professional) to the study and promotion of Florida history, and whose service can be documented. Nominations must be made by an individual or organization other than the nominee, and must include a nominating letter, examples of the contributions made by the nominee, plus endorsements by at least three other persons. Nominations will be evaluated by a panel chosen by the Florida Historical Society board of directors. The board may, at its discretion, recognize a person whose activities are so well known as to override the nomination process (nominations in the year the board exercises this prerogative will be carried over to the next year).

MICHAEL V. GANNON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:  

Named in honor of the renowned Florida historian, author, and University of Florida Professor of History, Michael V. Gannon. This category is open to persons who have given more than two decades of service (amateur or professional) to the study and promotion of Florida history, and whose service can be documented. Nominations must be made by an individual or organization other than the nominee, and must include a nominating letter, examples of the contributions made by the nominee, plus endorsements by at least three other persons. Nominations will be evaluated by a panel chosen by the Florida Historical Society board of directors. The board may, at its discretion, recognize a person whose activities are so well known as to override the nomination process (nominations in the year the board exercises this prerogative will be carried over to the next year).

GOLDEN QUILL AWARDS:

These awards, in two sub-categories, recognize outstanding contributions by print media to the understanding of Florida history.

Outstanding Florida History Article -- For a one-time in-depth article or special section focusing on Florida history, or the history of some part of our state, published during the calendar year Jan. 1- Dec. 31 preceding the award. Submit six (6 ) tear-sheets or clearly dated copies.

Outstanding Florida History Series -- For a continuing series of articles (5 or more) focusing on Florida history published during the calendar year Jan. 1-Dec. 31 preceding the award. Submit tear-sheets of all articles, or clearly dated copies.

Entries will be judged on factual accuracy, clarity of expression and overall historical merit. Winners receive a $200 stipend.

DAVID C. BROTEMARKLE AWARD

Named in honor of the late David C. Brotemarkle, teacher at several Florida colleges and universities, patron of and participant in the arts, and supporter of the Florida Historical Society.  A retired USAF Lt. Col. and pilot, Brotemarkle was also a successful businessman and family historian.  This award recognizes creative expressions of Florida history other than books.  This includes, but is not limited to, original songs, theatrical presentations, paintings, photographs, or exhibits relating to Florida history created and made available to the public during the calendar year Jan. 1-Dec. 31 preceding the award.  Submit six (6) copies of media appropriate for evaluation (digital images or prints of paintings or photographs, recordings of music or theatrical productions, etc.) and a brief written description of the work.  The winner receives a $200 stipend.

JILLIAN PRESCOTT MEMORIAL LECTURESHIP:

This lectureship is endowed by FHS board member Richard Prescott of Fort Myers in honor of his late wife. The lecturer, chosen annually by the Society's officers and executive director, is required to present a 45-60 minute lecture on an agreed-upon historical topic at the Florida Historical Society's annual meeting. The Jillian Prescott lecturer receives a stipend. Individual applications are not accepted. Nominations for this lectureship may be sent to the executive director.

GEORGE LELAND “SPEEDY” HARRELL VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD:

Named in honor of George Leland “Speedy” Harrell, longtime dedicated volunteer of the Florida Historical Society, author of four books on local history, and founder of the Mosquito Beaters. This award recognizes an outstanding volunteer in a local historical society, library, museum or other Florida history-related program or organization. Nominees must be proposed by the governing body of the volunteer's program or organization. The volunteer's record of service should be of such significance that it it easily demonstrated. The organization's presiding officer should submit a letter specifying the number, kind, and range of activities participated in by the volunteer. A photograph, mailing address and telephone number for the volunteer should be included. Submit nominations by the stated deadline. Winners receive a $200 stipend.

MARINUS LATOUR PRESIDENTIAL CITATION:

Named in honor of Marinus Latour, a former president and longtime supporter of the Florida Historical Society. This award recognizes outstanding service promoting or expanding knowledge of Florida history that is not acknowledged by another award category. Nominations are accepted, but this award is given at the discretion of the president of the Florida Historical Society.