Nominate a candidate for the Bay State Legacy Award or MHA Star Award
Publick Occurrences
February 6, 2023
The Bay State Legacy Award
For someone who’s made a lasting mark on History in Massachusetts!
The Massachusetts History Alliance is looking for nominees for this year’s Bay State Legacy Award, which is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the interpretation and presentation of Massachusetts history or to the local history field in Massachusetts. This individual can be a professional or volunteer from a variety of fields and organizations in local and public history, archives, academia, and beyond.
The Bay State Historical League, which dissolved in 2005, awarded the John F. Ayer award to individuals who contributed to Massachusetts history. The Massachusetts History Alliance carries on the BSHL’s legacy of service and recognition with the Bay State Legacy Award. See all BSLA Awardees here.
The MHA Star Awards
For local history heroes of all stripes and sorts!
In 2021, the Mass History Alliance resurrected the former Baystate Historical League Local History Hero award as the MHA Star Awards. MHA Star Awards are granted to Massachusetts people who have made outstanding contributions to the research and interpretation of, as well as increasing access to, history of their communities. MHA Star Award recipients are recognized for long term commitment, outstanding work with concrete results, exemplary innovation, local leadership for change, or contributions to equity and justice.
MHA Rising Star Awards
For newcomers who are making a big splash!
To encourage participation and leadership in, and commitment to Massachusetts public and local history, the Mass History Alliance is instituting annual MHA Rising Star Awards. MHA Rising Star Awards are granted to Massachusetts people who have been in the public history field for less than 10 years and who are in the process of or show the promise of making outstanding contributions to the research and interpretation of, as well as increasing access to, the history of their communities, regions, or across the Commonwealth. MHA Rising Star Award recipients are recognized for commitment, outstanding work that promises concrete results, innovative approaches, local leadership for change, or contributions to equity and justice.
You will be asked to provide a 250-word statement of your nominee’s achievements, as well as a headshot if you can get one. The Bay State Legacy Award, MHA STAR Awards, MHA Rising Star Awards, and Mass Humanities’ Mass History Commendation will be conferred at the Massachusetts History Conference, to be held on June 3, 2024 in Devens, MA.
(featured image: Lawrence High School, 1959 homecoming. Courtesy Lawrence Public Library, Digital Commonwealth.)