Local History Awards

Forms of Recognition:

All award recipients will receive a certificate suitably framed. Honor Roll inductees will have their names inscribed upon a plaque, which hangs in the main office of the ECHS.

Local History Awards Categories

Education Award

The Education Award is given to an individual, institution, or group that contributes substantially to the promotion of historical education by communicating to the audience the value of history.
2008 Recipient(s):
Caroline Reichel for her research and writing of walking tours of the Erie Cemetery.

Media Award

The Media Award recognizes outstanding and successful efforts to increase public awareness and appreciation of the history of Erie County by any branch of the local mass media.
2008 Recipient(s):
Samuel P. Black for the DVD Erie Pennsylvania: Where We’ve Been. Where We’re Going.

Marquette Savings Bank and Engel O’Neill Advertising for their work on a recent Marquette Savings Bank advertisement featuring historic images of Erie.

Local History Award

The Local History Award recognizes an outstanding contribution to the understanding and promotion of local history in such areas as publications, audiovisual materials, historical interpretation, archival development and community service.
2008 Recipient(s):
Richard Tefft for his dedication and outstanding work with the North East Area Historical Society, Erie Society for Genealogical Research and the Erie County Historical Society.

Louise Smerick for her work at the Harborcreek Historical Society.

President’s Award

The President’s Award is given at the discretion of the Erie County Historical Society’s President to recognize those individuals who have been exceptionally active in the activities of the Society, who have given exceptional volunteer time, philanthropic support or who do not fall into one of the other established award categories.
2008 Recipient(s):
Gordon Gebhardt for decades of exceptional contributions of time and support at the Erie County Historical Society.

Honor Roll

The ECHS Honor Roll recognizes those deceased members who in the past have made significant contributions to its affairs in such areas as program, research and writing and volunteer activities. Past deceased volunteers of the Erie Historical Museum are eligible.
2008 Recipient(s):
Admiral Charles A. Curtze for his philanthropic spirit and dedication to the Erie County Historical Society and the Erie community.

Mary Stablein for her fifteen plus years of service at the Erie Historical Museum.

Honorary Life Member

Election as an Honorary Life Member recognizes living members who by virtue of long and faithful service have made the Erie County Historical Society a more effective organization.
2008 Recipient(s):
Not Awarded

Outstanding Student

The new Outstanding Student Award recognizes an outstanding contribution to the understanding and promotion of local history in such areas as preservation, publications, audiovisual materials, historical interpretation, archival development and community service.
2008 Recipient(s):
Phil Sundin for the rebuilding and installation of steps at the Charlotte Elizabeth Battles Memorial Museum in Girard.