History Awards Nomination Information
Annual Award Descriptions
HERITAGE PROFILE AWARD –
The Heritage Profile Award recognizes those individuals who have made a lasting or significant contribution in interpreting, promoting, researching and/or otherwise extending the knowledge, preservation and understanding of the history of York County. Individuals to be considered include those living or deceased who have demonstrated evidence of long-term dedication and personal commitment in pursuit of these goals.
COMMUNITY AWARDS –
BUSINESS (Ingenuity)
This award is accorded to a business that endeavors to preserve history within the York County region in the areas of company history, building preservation, philanthropy or other involvement with celebrating the past for the benefit of the community, or which develops in its current business an extraordinary example of innovation that contributes to York County’s historic value of ingenuity in business and industry.
LOCAL HISTORY ORGANIZATION (Community)
The Local History Organization award recognizes those associations or organizations whose activity in local and regional history serves as a role model of excellence for others to follow. The award is specifically reserved for those associations/organizations associated with local historical efforts that are deemed to have made a significant contribution in preserving, interpreting, promoting, researching or otherwise extending knowledge and understanding of the history of their locality, county or region within York County.
GOVERNMENT (Civic/Government)
The Government Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the understanding and promotion of local history by municipalities without historical organizations. Advancement of historical activities may include community celebrations, commemorative publications, audiovisual materials, historical interpretation, archival development and community service.
LILA FOURHMAN-SHAULL INSPIRATION AWARD –
This recognition will be given periodically to an individual whose work in history inspires and moves others to engage in historical research, programs or events. Individuals receiving this award demonstrate relationship building with communities and people. Eligible candidates may be volunteers, community members or History Center staff.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR –
Volunteers nominated for this award set a high standard of volunteerism with their loyalty and dedication, which provides inspiration for other volunteers to follow.
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- Length of Involvement
- Exceptional involvement over the previous year, which could include outstanding service, leadership in an initiative or project, or increased involvement in a volunteer role.
- Sustained, long-term commitment to a particular volunteer role
- Accomplishments
- Selections are based on the nominee’s exemplary volunteer efforts and commitment of time, accomplishments, impact and service to the History Center
- The nominee must possess an outstanding commitment to the History Center community. This commitment may be demonstrated in a variety of ways, including an excellent attendance record, a willingness to give extra effort to duties and responsibilities. For example, assisting visitor experiences or work that benefits the History Center’s mission.
- Eligibility
- Any volunteer within the organization with the exception of previous award winners
- Students receiving course credits for their volunteer activities are ineligible unless the nomination is based on volunteer service that extends beyond the course requirements, in which case it must be clearly indicated in the nomination statement.
- Must be current members of the History Center
- Nominees can be current or previous volunteers
- Length of Involvement
Guidelines for nomination:
The nomination process is now open. Deadline for submission is April 1, 2020. Click here to download a nomination form.
The Ground Swallowed Them Up
by Scott Mingus
This is the first book published that fully addresses the Underground Railroad in York County. Surprising, considering that from the early 1800s through the early Civil War period, York County was a significant pathway for runaway slaves seeking freedom. Historian Scott Mingus details the several networks that developed which include a Quaker system, another one involving free blacks, and a third with several of York’s leading Pennsylvania Germans as conductors. Scott Mingus is an Ohio native residing in York, PA and has written 18 Civil War books. A scientist and executive in the paper industry, he holds patents in self-adhesive postage stamps and bar code labels. Softcover, indexed. Available in the York County History Center Gift Shop and Book Store.
Journal of York County Heritage
The Journal of York County Heritage is available annually to all members of the History Center as a benefit of membership. The 2021 edition of the Journal is now available for $6.95 in both our Museum Book Shop and online at our Gift Shop and Book Store.
The Journal of York County Heritage was created in 2010 to celebrate York County history, material culture, cultural heritage, and people. The 2021 edition is now available for sale in the Gift Shop and features the work of nine local authors. Author Stephen Nicholas Jr. examines the pioneering work of the S. Morgan Smith company in early wind power. Tom Davidson explores the history of the Lincoln Highway. Jamie C. Kinsley examines the role of agriculture in the lives of African Americans. Stephen H. Smith and Lee Davis tell the story of the County Courthouse clock works. Benjamin A. Hoover II examines the impact of Dr. Julius Hiram Comroe Sr. and his family on the community. José D. Colón-Bones tells the story of the Hernandez and Rivera families in York’s early Hispanic community. And Susan E. Baer and Daniel Hajdo write about Hanover Shoe Farms and a 1937 world record race.
Prior editions are also available for sale at the Museum Book Shop located at 250 E. Market St., York. Supplies are limited, so grab your copy today! Buy each previous edition individually, or purchase a combination for special price. They make great gifts for the holidays and other special occasions.
The 2013 and 2014 editions of the Journal of York County Heritage are out of print, but all past editions are now available on our new Journal of York County Heritage Digital Bookcase. Certain publications, such as Recruits to Continentals: A History of the York County Rifle Company, June 1775-January 1777 written by Philip J. Schlegel and published by our predecessor the Historical Society of York County, are now viewable on our York County History Center Publications Bookcase.
Click here to see Jane Sutton’s article “Opposition to Women’s Voting Rights” from the 2020 Journal of York County Heritage with color illustrations.
Call for Papers
Deadline for submitting articles: December 1, 2021
The York County History Center is now accepting articles for the twelfth edition to be published in the Fall of 2021. Originally created in 2010 to celebrate York County history, material culture, cultural heritage, and people, articles of original scholarship are accepted. Preference will be given to those authors that utilize the York County History Center’s collection, either in full or in part. Photographs and/or other illustrative materials are encouraged but not required. Generally, the manuscript must be original, unpublished, written in English, and limited to 3,000 words. The History Center especially encourages articles that examine diverse York County communities. Endnotes are required.
Shorter pieces: With the 2021 journal, the editors are also seeking submissions of short articles (250–750 words) highlighting aspects of York County history. The pieces should be well sourced internally, but not necessarily footnoted.
Please review the submission guidelines carefully. Please also review the York County History Center Style Guide. For more information, please contact Nicole Smith, Director of Library & Archives at 717-848-1587, ext. 225.
Please be a part of history and submit your publication.
