Join us as a partner-- celebrate the history makers of 2017!
Over the past five years, the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. has honored twenty-one Washingtonians and D.C.-based organizations whose enduring contributions to our community have helped create, define, and preserve our city’s heritage.
On Thursday, May 11, 2017 the organization will celebrate 123 years of collecting DC history and will bestow the 4th annual Visionary Historian Award upon Dr. Frank Smith. On September 28, 2017, the Historical Society welcomes five more history makers to the growing list of distinguished honorees, recognized for their contributions to the fabric of life in Washington, D.C.
123rd Anniversary Celebration and Visionary Historian Award Thursday, May 11, 2017, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
The Visionary Historian Award & Anniversary Celebration is one of the Historical Society’s primary sources of revenue for the year. Funds received from the event are used to further the Historical Society’s mission of outreach and education. The 2017 event will highlight 123 years of collecting and interpreting the history of Washington, D.C. In addition, the organization will honor Dr. Frank Smith with the 4th Annual Visionary Historian Award.
About Frank Smith, Ph.D.
During his four elected terms with the District Council, Washington, DC, Dr. Frank Smith laid the basic groundwork to establish a national memorial for African American troops who served in the Civil War. Fulfilling a lifelong dream to honor African Americans who fought for freedom as USCT, he oversaw the dedication of the African American Civil War Memorial in July 1998. Toward that goal, Dr. Smith used a lifetime of leadership experience to secure financing, District support, and the active involvement of public and private agencies to establish the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum.
Past honorees include Kathryn S. Smith, Dr. James M. Goode, and Lonnie Bunch, founding director, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Event Details Historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square, 801 K Street, NW
Expected Attendance: 350
Audience: Historical Society supporters, members, preservationists, and civic leaders.
Marketing: 12,000 email invitations, 4 email reminders, one email after the event, and daily Facebook and Twitter posts.
Participation as a sponsor for this event must be confirmed no later than May 1, 2017 for inclusion in the final program.
Making D.C. History Awards Thursday, September 28, 2017, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Over the past five years, the Historical Society has honored twenty-one Washingtonians and D.C.-based organizations whose enduring contributions to our community have helped create, define, and preserve our city’s heritage. In September 2017, the Historical Society welcomes more history makers to the growing list of distinguished honorees, recognized for their contributions to the fabric of life in Washington, D.C.
Event Details Historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square, 801 K Street, NW In lieu of ongoing plans for the library, the venue for the event may be changed to the Newseum Honoree Reception, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. (champagne and hors d’oeuvres); Awards Presentation, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (seated dinner)
Expected Attendance: 250 for the awards dinner
Audience: Historical Society members and large diverse community of honorees and their supporters
Marketing: 1000 invitations mailed, 12,000+ email invitations, 3 reminder emails, 4 e-newsletters before and 2 after the event, all thank you correspondence, all Facebook and Twitter posts.
Past Recipients
Corporate Achievement
Clyde’s Restaurant Group
Civic Leadership
Mayor Anthony Williams
Historic Achievement
Association for the Study of African American
Life and History
Historic Preservation
Association of Oldest Inhabitants of D.C. (2016)
Wagner Roofing (2015)
Local Media
The Washington Blade (2014)
Washingtonian (2016)
Local Philanthropy
Cafritz Foundation (2014)
Meyer Foundation (2016)
Social Service
Hillcrest Children and Family Center (2015)
Visionary Historian Award
Katheryn Schneider Smith (2014)
James H. Goode (2015)
Lonnie Bunch (2016)
Legacy Families of Washington, D.C.
Cassell Family (2015)
Kiplinger Family (2012)
McGuire Family (2016)
Ourisman Family (2015)
Quander Family (2013)
Saul Family (2013)
Small Family (2012)
Mayor Washington Family (2012)
Participation as a sponsor for this event must be confirmed no later than July 15, 2017 for inclusion in both the printed invitation and final program.
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