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2023 Awards of Excellence Winners

Change Year 2023 Winners
2023
2022
2021
2019
Project Excellence Award

Wesley Spurgeon & Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site

Wesley Spurgeon & Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site, Washington County,for Tipton-Haynes’ interpretive signage project.

Community History Leadership Award

Wanda Sobieski & the Suffrage Coalition

Wanda Sobieski & the Suffrage Coalition, Knox Countyfor the active preservation of the unique and significant Tennessee story around the passage of the nineteenth amendment.

Project Excellence Award

Tyler L. Boyd

Tyler L. Boyd, McMinn County, for the book Nellie Kenyon: Trailblazing Tennessee Journalist.

History in the Media Award

Steven S. Sherlin

Steven S. Sherlin, McMinn Countyfor his Athens Treasures Live YouTube channel episodes and documentaries on McMinn County history.

Project Excellence Award

Robert Sorrell

Robert Sorrell, Carter County, for the book The Story of Becoming Piney Flats.

Project Excellence Award

Roark-Conner Association

Roark-Conner Association, Hamilton County, for the Roark-Conner virtual family reunion.

Project Excellence Award

Philip Mummert

Philip Mummert, Blount County, for the Tennessee Valley Authority Retirees Association Oral History Project.

Teaching Excellence Award

Nate Kennard & Livingston Academy Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society

Nate Kennard & Livingston Academy Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, Overton Countyfor the social studies programs developed for the Academy’s student body and outreach to Overton County elementary and middle school students.

Project Excellence Award

Museum & Cultural Center at 5ive Points

Museum & Cultural Center at 5ive Points, Bradley Countyfor the Bendabout Farms: A History Worth Sharing exhibition and related lectures and programs.

History in the Media Award

Morgan County Genealogical & Historical Society, Inc.

Morgan County Genealogical & Historical Society, Inc., Morgan Countyfor the three-part Morgan County video series: Who We AreWhere We Gather; and Where We Work.

Project Excellence Award

Morgan County Genealogical & Historical Society, Inc.

Morgan County Genealogical & Historical Society, Inc., Morgan County,for The Ghost Town of Gobey exhibition and related first-person docent tours and programs.

Project Excellence Award

McMinn County Historical Society & Archives

McMinn County Historical Society & Archives, McMinn County, for their relocation project, which involved the preparation of a new, larger facility for the moving of collections, meeting space, and offices.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Leah Walker

Leah Walker (1982-2023), Hawkins County, a proud Bull’s Gap girl, Leah was known for her gift of storytelling, dedication, energy, and infectious spirit, all of which she shared through her work in local history and museums. She inspired everyone she met, especially those in her beloved field of public history. As a friend shared, “Leah only had a few decades on this earth, but she made them count!”

Lifetime Achievement Award

Leah Ross

Leah Ross, Sullivan County, for her leadership of and commitment to the Birthplace of Country Music over the past eighteen years as Executive Director (2005-2022) and Executive Director of Advancement (2022-present). 

Community History Leadership Award

Jim Loftis

Jim Loftis, Overton Countyfor his organizational and personal efforts to interpret and preserve his community’s history for future generations.

Ramsey Award for Lifetime Achievement

Jeff Wells

Jeff Wells, State of Tennesseehonoring the legacy of his inspirational and foundational leadership in historical administration, preservation, and interpretation in Tennessee State Parks and beyond.

Project Excellence Award

Indian Creek Productions

Indian Creek Productions, Jefferson County,for the Spirit of Nations Powwow and concurrent “Let’s All Speak”: Native Voices in Tennessee History teacher workshop.

Project Excellence Award

Hayslope Preservation Project

Hayslope Preservation Project, Hamblen County, for the restoration, preservation, and planning for the future of the 18th century home.

Project Excellence Award

Greeneville Greene County History Museum

Greeneville Greene County History Museum, Greene Countyfor the Above and Beyond exhibition on Sgt. Elbert Kinser’s life and military experience.

McClung Award

Dr. William E. Hardy

For the Journal of East Tennessee History, Vol. 94, 2022, Dr. William E. Hardy is awarded The McClung Award for “A Perfect Mania”: The Origins of Base Ball in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

Project Excellence Award

Dr. Ted Olson, ETSU Department of Appalachian Studies, and City of Johnson City

Dr. Ted Olson, ETSU Department of Appalachian Studies, and City of Johnson City, Washington Countyfor researching, securing, and unveiling Johnson City’s state historical marker commemorating Rich-R-Tone Records.

Teaching Excellence Award

Dr. René Rodgers

Dr. René Rodgers, Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Sullivan Countyfor their education project that included partnering with educators to develop lesson plans and resources, plus delivery of teacher and student education programs.

History in the Media Award

Dr. Jessica Mills McClure

Dr. Jessica Mills McClure, Hamblen Countyfor the completion and release of the documentary Shared Sacrifices: The Unsung Liberators of France, an unfinished project of her late husband, historian and prior ETHS Award winner Dr. Marc McClure.

Project Excellence Award

Dakota Carmichael

Dakota Carmichael, Hamblen Countyfor his research of and assistance with the preservation of the Riggs House and barn on Sulphur Springs.

Community History Leadership Award

Birthplace of Country Music

Birthplace of Country Music, Sullivan County, for the 95th Anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions special exhibitions, events, and programs.

Community History Leadership Award East Tennessee Historical Society Seal

Andy Peck

Andy Peck, Regionalfor the research, collection, and preservation of family history shared through the publication of numerous non-fiction titles.

Community History Leadership Award

Birthplace of Country Music

Birthplace of Country Music, Sullivan Countyfor excellence in the promotion, preservation, and interpretation of the rich musical history of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.

Community History Leadership Award

Adam Dickson

Adam Dickson, Washington Countyfor preserving and advocating for Black history through his civic, community, and professional leadership.