[Michlib-l] NEWS RELEASE: Announcing the Winners of the 2020 State History Awards

Wed Sep 9 12:36:45 EDT 2020

Historical Society of Michigan

7435 Westshire Drive

Lansing, MI 48917

(517) 324-1828
 <mailto:hsm at hsmichigan.org> hsm at hsmichigan.org

For Immediate Release

Announcing the Winners of the 2020 State History Awards

LANSING, Mich.-The Historical Society of Michigan announces its 2020 State
History Awards, to be presented during its annual Michigan History
Conference on Oct. 2-3, 2020, which will be a virtual event this year due to
the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Society presents the State History
Awards every year to individuals and organizations that have made
outstanding contributions to the appreciation, collection, preservation
and/or promotion of state and local history. The awards are the highest
recognition presented by the Historical Society of Michigan, the state's
official historical society and oldest cultural organization.

The 18 winners are: (Detailed descriptions of each recipient are listed at
the end of this news release.)

*         Lifetime Achievement Award-Brian L. Dunnigan of Jackson

*         Distinguished Volunteer Service-Karen Kasper of Ishpeming

*         Distinguished Professional Service-Bailey Sisoy-Moore of Highland
Park

*         Books: University & Commercial Press-

o   "Great Lakes Sea Lamprey: The 70 Year War on a Biological Invader" by
Cory Brant (University of Michigan Press)

o   "Points North: Discover Hidden Campgrounds, Natural Wonders, and
Waterways of the Upper Peninsula" by Mikel B. Classen (Modern History Press)

*         Books: Private Printing-

o   "A Constant State of Emergency: Paul de Kruif, Microbe Hunter and Health
Activist" by Jan Peter Verhave (Van Raalte Press)

o   "World War II Conscientious Objectors: Germfask, Michigan the Alcatraz
Camp" by Jane Kopecky (Jane Kopecky)

o   "Lansing's Young Architects: William Appleyard, R. Arthur Bailey and
Frederick Thoman" by James V. MacLean (SoloVerso Press)

*         Books: Children & Youth-

o   "Cady and the Bear Necklace" by Ann Dallman (Three Towers Press/Henschel
Haus Books)

*         Communications: Printed Periodicals-"Michigan Jewish History"
published by the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan

*         Education: Educational Programs-Michigan Council for History
Education for its ongoing programs

*         Media-"The Detroit History Podcast"

*         Restoration/Preservation-Tony and Tom Fahoome of Dryden for their
renovation and restoration of the Liberty Building in New Baltimore

*         Special Programs/Events-Flat Rock Historical Society for its
"Diggin' Up Local History Cemetery Walk"

*         Local Societies-Allendale Historical Society

*         Institutions-Marine Historical Society of Detroit

*         Best Article in Michigan History Magazine-"Contaminated Michigan:
The PBB Crisis" by Claire Parish

*         Best Article in Chronicle Magazine-"Hopes, Half-Measures, and
Hypocrisies: Desegregating Kalamazoo Schools" by Mclevy Strong-Morse

The Michigan History Conference explores significant people, places and
events in Michigan's past through a diverse offering of keynote speakers,
breakout sessions, workshops and tours. Normally, the conference moves to a
different location every year to feature the local history of that area and
to address notable statewide historical matters. Though this year's
conference is a virtual event, many sessions will focus on the history of
Lansing. Standard registration ends on Oct. 1, 2020. Registration details
and full session descriptions are available on HSM's website:
<http://hsmichigan.org/> hsmichigan.org.

The lead sponsors of this year's Michigan History Conference are The Meijer
Foundation and the Library of Michigan. Major sponsors are Dart Bank, Grand
Rapids Public Museum, Historical Society of Greater Lansing, Lansing
Community College, Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, Michigan
History Center, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union and National
Endowment for the Arts.

The conference is also sponsored by the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum,
Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council, Michigan Historic Preservation
Network, Michigan State University Department of History, Michigan State
University Libraries, Michigan State University Press, University of
Michigan Press and Wayne State University Press, along with the Greater
Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, Michigan Oral History Association and
Michigan State University Department of English.

The Historical Society of Michigan also hosts the Upper Peninsula History
Conference, which focuses on the history of the Upper Peninsula, and
Michigan in Perspective: The Local History Conference, which concentrates on
southeast Michigan and statewide history.

The Historical Society of Michigan is the state's oldest cultural
organization, founded in 1828. A nongovernmental nonprofit, the Society
focuses on publications, conferences, education, awards and recognition
programming, and support for local history organizations to preserve and
promote Michigan's rich history.

-----------------------------

The Historical Society of Michigan will recognize Brian L. Dunnigan of
Jackson with the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award. Dunnigan began his
professional career in history in 1966 as a seasonal interpreter at Fort
Mackinac, going on to hold leadership positions at Historic Fort Wayne and
Old Fort Niagara. In 1996, Dunnigan returned to Michigan and was appointed
curator of maps and head of research and publications at the University of
Michigan's William L. Clements Library-an institution he served at until his
retirement in 2019. In addition to the many professional positions and
organizational roles he has held over the years, Michigan and Great Lakes
history subjects have come to life through Dunnigan's countless books,
scholarly articles, book reviews and encyclopedia entries.

The 2020 State History Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service will go to
Karen Kasper of Ishpeming. Several U.P. history organizations have benefited
from the work of Kasper, who grew up in Ishpeming and attended Northern
Michigan University (NMU). In 2013, she began volunteering at the NMU
Archives, ultimately serving as the primary administrator and coordinator of
the Northland Historical Consortium of U.P. historical societies and
museums. She also parlayed her skills into volunteer work with NMU's
Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center; the Ishpeming Historical Society; the Cliffs
Shaft Museum; and the Project Empire initiative, which aims to place
Ishpeming's and Negaunee's downtown districts on the State and National
Registers of Historic Places.

Bailey Sisoy-Moore of Highland Park will receive the 2020 State History
Award for Distinguished Professional Service. Sisoy-Moore is the owner and
tour guide of Detroit History Tours and the Detroit History Club. Since its
founding in 2015, Detroit History Tours has taken 41,000 people through the
history of the Motor City by boat, bus and foot, and the 8,700 members of
the Detroit History Club have enjoyed a wide range of educational
activities. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the spring of 2020,
Sisoy-Moore adapted to the new environment, beginning a series of nighttime
"History Bedtime Stories" and developing the Detroit History App, which
offers downloadable, themed history tours of the city.

A State History Award in the category of Books: University & Commercial
Press will be given to Cory Brant of Brighton for "Great Lakes Sea Lamprey:
The 70 Year War on a Biological Invader," published by the University of
Michigan Press. Since it entered the Great Lakes in the 1830s via the
Welland Canal, the sea lamprey has preyed on native fish and devastated the
ecology of the region. Author Cory Brant based his research for this book on
extensive oral histories that he conducted with individuals who had
experienced the sea lamprey invasion firsthand. Brant then wove together the
interviews, scientific information and history to create a definitive record
of the ecological disaster.

A State History Award in the category of Books: University & Commercial
Press will also go to Mikel B. Classen of Sault Ste. Marie for "Points
North: Discover Hidden Campgrounds, Natural Wonders, and Waterways of the
Upper Peninsula," published by Modern History Press. Michigan's Upper
Peninsula is rich in historic sites and scenic wonders such as Tahquamenon
Falls and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, but Classen's book steers
readers off the beaten track to discover some lesser-known-but equally
delightful-gems. In addition to including a map that highlights the sites,
the publication presents various U.P. locations in alphabetical order,
detailing their historical background, ecological value, natural resources
and recreational opportunities.

The Historical Society of Michigan will present a State History Award in the
category of Books: Private Printing to Jan Peter Verhave of Malden,
Netherlands, for "A Constant State of Emergency: Paul de Kruif, Microbe
Hunter and Health Activist," published by Van Raalte Press. A native of
Zeeland, Michigan, Paul de Kruif earned a doctorate from the University of
Michigan and embarked on a career in microbiology before opting to write for
the public on medical matters and science. In this full biography of de
Kruif, author Jan Peter Verhave delves into the microbiologist's
unparalleled impact on American health issues, beginning with the
publication of the bestselling book "Microbe Hunters" in 1926.

A State History Award in the category of Books: Private Printing will go to
Jane Kopecky for her self-published book, "World War II Conscientious
Objectors: Germfask, Michigan the Alcatraz Camp." During World War II, some
contentious objectors refused to do any service at all-military or
otherwise-and wound up at Public Service Camp 135 in Germfask, Michigan.
Author-publisher Jane Kopecky of Manistique focuses on those men, whom the
Selective Service and Michigan State Board of Mental Health believed to be
mentally and physically deficient. As the conscientious objectors battled
the legal system and government with nonviolent protests, Germfask gained
fame as the Alcatraz of public service camps.

"Lansing's Young Architects: William Appleyard, R. Arthur Bailey and
Frederick Thoman" by James V. MacLean of Lansing, published by SoloVerso
Press, will receive a State History Award in the category of Books: Private
Printing. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries,
architects Appleyard, Bailey and Thoman produced outstanding designs for
residential, commercial and industrial buildings, including Michigan State
University facilities and the Olds Motor Works in Detroit. Using a wealth of
primary resources and copious illustrations, MacLean documents the history
of the buildings and their architectural forms, the lives of the men who
designed them, and the ways in which the architects and the community
interacted with one another.

"Cady and the Bear Necklace," written by Ann Dallman of Menominee and
published by Three Towers Press/Henschel Haus Books, will receive a State
History Award in the category of Books: Children & Youth. Dallman, a member
of the Woodland Band of Potawatomi Indians, wrote "Cady" to represent the
Three Fire Confederation of Michigan tribes. The book describes the story of
an adolescent girl who is told that she will encounter a mystery in the form
of an antique beaded necklace after she preserves the honor of a sacred
eagle feather. As Cady unravels the mystery, the girl is drawn closer to her
elders, her Native culture and her traditional beliefs.

The Historical Society of Michigan will present the 2020 State History Award
for Communications: Printed Periodicals to the Jewish Historical Society of
Michigan for its annual journal, "Michigan Jewish History." In 1960, the
journal's first issue was published with the goal of advancing the
discipline of American Jewish history while striking a balance between
academic scholarship and remaining accessible to a non-academic audience. On
the 60th anniversary of "Michigan Jewish History" in 2020, journal staff
enacted broad changes to the venerable publication, making it even more
useful for scholars, students and the general public. As well as essays,
personal reflections and creative-writing pieces, the publication now
presents peer-reviewed scholarly works.

A State History Award in the category of Education: Educational Programs
will be awarded to the Michigan Council for History Education (MCHE) for its
ongoing projects. Since its founding in 1993, MCHE has sought to promote the
teaching of history to students in Michigan schools. In addition to an
annual conference for history teachers, MCHE operates awards programs such
as the Gilder-Lehrman National History Educator Award and the Hearst
Foundation United States Senate Youth Fellowship program. The council also
worked with the Michigan Department of Social Studies and a coalition of
educators to update the Social Studies Standards document, which was
approved by the State Board of Education in 2019.

The 2020 State History Award for Media will go to "The Detroit History
Podcast." Since 2017, a team, composed of a web designer, a videographer, an
audio engineer, a journalist and an audio editor-led by historian Tim Kiska
of the University of Michigan-Dearborn-has produced the podcast, which
marked its 30th 25-minute episode in August 2020. "The Detroit History
Podcast" has examined a wide range of topics since its inception-including
the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, 1943 Detroit Riots and 1919 Influenza
Pandemic-digging deep into Detroit history to highlight unique footage and
perspectives. The podcast has amassed a vast audience, earning more than
75,000 downloads across 28 countries.

Tom and Tony Fahoome of Dryden will receive the Historical Society of
Michigan's 2020 State History Award in the category of
Restoration/Preservation for their work on the Liberty Building in New
Baltimore. Originating in the 1860s or 1870s, the Liberty Building appeared
destined for demolition by 2016. After New Baltimore's Historic District
Commission approved a proposed plan, Tom and Tony Fahoome, owners of the
T.A.D. Building Company, set to work on the structure, renovating and
restoring it inside and out-all the while saving original elements such as
the building's arched front door and ceiling medallion. Today, the Liberty
Building has both retail and residential living space.

The Historical Society will present a State History Award in the category of
Special Programs/Events to the Flat Rock Historical Society for its "Diggin'
Up Local History Cemetery Walk." Cemetery tours have become a popular way to
engage the public with local history. Inspired by a session at the Michigan
in Perspective: The Local History Conference in 2017, the Flat Rock
Historical Society created its own cemetery walk. Now an annual occurrence
that visits different area cemeteries each year, the event attracts an
audience of all ages, brings the community together and offers lessons about
past residents. The 2020 tour will have a pandemic theme in keeping with
current events.

A State History Award in the category of Local Societies will be awarded to
the Allendale Historical Society. Formed in 1983 with the goal of developing
an awareness and appreciation of the Allendale area, the society initially
produced a quarterly newsletter and organized programs presented by local
historians, professors and other regional scholars. Over the years-and with
help from historical artifact and archival donations from local
residents-the Allendale Historical Society has expanded in size and scope,
opening the Knowlton House Museum in 1995 and developing a community history
book. The organization continues to produce programs and events that
celebrate local history, such as cemetery and museum tours.

The Marine Historical Society of Detroit will receive a State History Award
in the Institutions category. In 1944, history enthusiasts founded the
organization to promote Great Lakes maritime history. More than 75 years
later, the Marine Historical Society of Detroit has produced a wealth of
scholarship, preserving and interpreting Michigan's rich Great Lakes
shipping history. In addition to its 73-years-running newsletter, "The
Detroit Marine Historian," the organization has published many other
important works that highlight maritime subjects. Although the society has
no building of its own, it facilitates the acquisition of archival materials
for the Historical Collections of the Great Lakes at Bowling Green State
University.

The 2020 State History Award for the Best Article in Michigan History
Magazine will go to Claire Parish of Ada for her article, "Contaminated
Michigan: The PBB Crisis," which appeared in Michigan History's
September/October 2019 issue. In 1973, the Michigan Chemical Corporation
erroneously swapped the fire-retardant chemical PBB with a dairy cattle feed
supplement. After unknowing farmers fed it to their livestock, countless
farm animals sickened and died, and 9 million Michiganders were poisoned by
PBB-laced meat and dairy products. Parish's article was based off her 2019
entry in the Michigan History DayR competition, for which she was a winner
in the Senior Division Individual Paper category and a national finalist.

The 2020 State History Award for the Best Article in Chronicle, the
Historical Society of Michigan's membership magazine, will be presented to
Mclevy Strong-Morse of Kalamazoo for his article, "Hopes, Half-Measures, and
Hypocrisies: Desegregating Kalamazoo Schools." Appearing in Chronicle's Fall
2019 issue, the article explored the landmark 1971 court ruling of Oliver v.
Kalamazoo Board of Education that desegregated Kalamazoo schools. Within two
decades, however, racial segregation returned to Kalamazoo schools as
European-American families moved out of the city. Strong-Morse's article was
adapted from a paper he wrote for the 2019 Michigan History DayR competition
when he was 13 years old. He was a state and national finalist and winner of
the Best Entry in African-American History.

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