Indianapolis—Honor your favorite history teacher, historian or organization by nominating them for one of eight awards given out during the Indiana Historical Society’s (IHS’s) annual Founders Day celebrations. The awards recognize individuals and organizations whose efforts have enriched the lives of others, and for a second-straight year, IHS is including a Bicentennial-themed honor. IHS will recognize the winners at its annual Founders Day Dinner on Monday, Dec. 5.

IHS is now accepting nominations for the following awards:

• Caleb Mills Indiana History Teacher of the Year
IHS awards this honor to a teacher (4th through 12th grades) who is currently teaching U.S. or Indiana history. This person makes significant contributions to the understanding of these two fields.

• Dorothy Riker Hoosier Historian Award
IHS awards this honor to a historian who has made distinguished contributions to the field of historical scholarship and/or the affairs and activities of IHS.

• Eli Lilly Lifetime Achievement Award
IHS awards this honor to an individual who has made extraordinary contributions, over an extended period, to the field of history and/or the affairs and activities of IHS.

• Hubert Hawkins History Award
IHS awards this honor to a local historian for distinguished service during his/her career in local history.

• Willard C. Heiss Family History/Genealogy Award
IHS presents this award to a family historian for distinguished service/career in Indiana family history, including presentation, use of materials and preservation.

• Outstanding Historical Organization Award
IHS presents this award to a local or county historical society, organization or site in Indiana for remarkable public services and programs in its community.

• Indiana History Outstanding Event or Project Award
IHS presents this award to an organization for an exceptional educational event or history project implemented during the past year, either one-time or ongoing, which relates to that organization’s mission. Examples include reenactments, publications, innovative media usage, exceptional teacher training, and displays or exhibitions.

• Outstanding Bicentennial Collaborative Project Award
Finally, in honor of the state’s Bicentennial, IHS will recognize a project for exceptional involvement of multiple organizations implemented during the past year. Projects must be a Bicentennial-related event or history project, either one-time or ongoing. IHS gives special consideration to those who include project evaluation with nominations.

Nominations must be postmarked by Monday, Aug. 8, 2016. To submit a nomination or for more information, please call (317) 234-7798 or visit www.indianahistory.org/awards.

About the Indiana Historical Society
Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s Storyteller, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving, interpreting and sharing the state’s history. A private, nonprofit membership organization and Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, IHS maintains the nation’s premier research library and archives on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest and presents a unique set of visitor exhibitions called the Indiana Experience. IHS provides support and assistance to local museums and historical groups, publishes books and periodicals; sponsors teacher workshops; produces and hosts art exhibitions, museum theater and outside performance groups; and provides youth, adult and family programming. Normal operating hours for the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.