JCHS Award Winners
The Jackson County Historical Society annually recognizes significant accomplishments that promote the history of our region. The awards are traditionally given at our annual meeting.
Here’s a list of prior year award winners.
2026
Lifetime Achievement: Shirley Wurth
Black History Preservation: Alversia Pettigrew and Ann Taylor
Historic Films: Shane Seley; Wise Awake Films
Historical Book: Stan Shaffer The Walnuts
JCHS Archives Volunteer: Miranda Martin
JCHS 1859 Jail Museum Volunteer: Ian Clark, Mindy Wilson, Hanna Wilson-Greene
2025
Lifetime Achievement: John Thornton/Jim Austin (recognized posthumously)
Historic Book: Bruce Mathews/Stephen Mitchell Janssen Place, A Unique Neighborhood: Still on Parade after 125 Years
Historic Preservation: Englewood Arts Center
Historic Film: “I’M SO GLAD” Paul Wensky, Nancy Meis, Chris Wenske, Producers
Archives Volunteer: Sharon Alexander
1859 Jail Museum Volunteer: Rusty Burkett
2024
Observing 150th Anniversary of the KC Public Library; JCHS saluted this institution and its service to the community since 1873.
Lifetime Achievement: Steve Noll
Bringing History Alive: Suzanne Hotan, KCUB-FM
Capturing History: Dan White, photographer
Historic Film: Terence O’Malley; “Nelly Don”
Archives Volunteer: Glynn Gee
1859 Jail Museum Volunteer: Jason Wade
2023
Lifetime Achievement: Jonathan Kemper
Historic Book: Phil S. Dixon
Historic Preservation: Ralph Goldsmith, Pioneer Trails Adventures
1859 Jail Museum Volunteer: Chuck Jones
Legacy Award: Shirley Wurth
2022
Honoring our Past President, 2019-2020: Gloria Smith
Lifetime Achievement: Clay Bauske, Harry S. Truman Library & Museum
Historic Preservation: Kansas City Museum
Historic Book: Bruce Mathews and Judith King Mount Washington Cemetery: In Search of Lost Time
Historic Publication: Kansas City Black Archives, Kansas City Public Library, and LINC, Kansas City Black History Project
Archives Volunteer: Avery Goetz
1859 Jail Museum Volunteer: Shannon Pruitt
2021 - No Annual Dinner
2020
Lifetime Achievement: Mary Childers
Honoring the Past: Larry Short
Historic Engagement: Dana Mengel (Oregon Trail Suite)
Historic Preservation: Brad Smith/Drumm Farm
Archives Volunteer: Jody Mantarro
1859 Jail Museum Volunteer: Jason Wade
2019
Lifetime Achievement: Susan Richards Johnson, Preservationist and Architect
Historic Book: KC Houses/Bill Bruning accepting
Historic Preservation: Adam Jones/West Bottoms
Historic Engagement: Kemet Coleman, Troostapalooza
Digital History: Carrie Coogan, David LaCrone, Jason Roe
2018
History Book: Kansas City Houses 1885-1938, Michael C. Kathrens (Bill Bruning Accepted)
Historic Engagement: Troostapalooza, Kemet Coleman
Historic Preservation: Adam Jones, West Bottoms
Digital History Project: PendergastKC.org, Carrie Coogan, Jason Roe, David LaCrone with the Kansas City Public Library
Lifetime Achievement: Susan Richards Johnson, Preservationist and Architect
Archives Volunteer: Rebecca Siglin
1859 Jail Volunteer: Joyce Gillespie
2017
History Book: Hemingway at Eighteen, Steve Paul
Public Art: Alexander Austin
Historic Preservation: Susan Sommers and Larry Roeder
Lifetime Achievement: Barbara Potts
Special Recognition: Steve Noll
Archives Volunteer: Steve Brashears
1859 Jail Volunteer: Sharon Royer
2016
History Book: Kansas City Our Collective Memories (Volume One), Bruce Mathews and Steve Noll
Historical Film: “The American Artist: The Life and Times of George Caleb Bingham” Wide Awake Films and Friends of Arrow Rock
Community History Project: FamilySearch
Archives Volunteer: John Langton
1859 Jail Volunteer: Charles Bianco
2015
Historic Preservation: Linwood Area Ministries Place (LAMP)
Bringing History to Life: Niel Johnson
Jazz and History: Chuck Haddix
Honoring the Past: Ray Moore
Archives Volunteer: Shirley Storey
1859 Jail Volunteer: Ellie Royal and Jan Spencer
Howard School Restoration: Brandon Muller
2014
Historic Preservation Award: Historic Kansas City Foundation for 40 Years of Advocacy for our Built Environment
Bringing History to Life Award: R. Crosby Kemper III and Henry Fortunato for their roles in the Kansas City Library’s “Meet the Past” interview series
Local Group Making a Difference Award: The Midwest Afro-American Genealogical Interest Coalition (MAGIC)
Local History Book of the Year Award: Bruce Mathews for Windows of Kansas City
Collaboration in History Award: Ed Matheny Jr. for publication of Cowtown: Cattle Trails and West Bottom Tales in partnership with Mid-Continent Public Library
Archives Volunteer: Paul White
1859 Jail Volunteer: Timothy Truman
2013
Historical Book of the Year: Scattered to the Four Winds: General Order No. 11 and Martial Law in Jackson County, Missouri, 1863 by Ralph A. Monaco II
Preserving Jackson County's Iconic Structures: Renovation and adaptive reuse of the Unity Village, Unity School of Christianity
Bringing Living History to Life: 150th Anniversary Re-enactment of General Order No. 11 Friends of the Rice-Tremonti Home
Jail Museum Volunteer of the Year: Frances Gabbard
Archives & Research Center Volunteer of the Year: Gail Fines
2012
Historical Book of the Year: Spirit of Kansas City: Stories of Service Above Self, Bruce Mathews; Mamie Hughes; Andrew Kaplan; Christopher Leitch; Lynn Mackle; Carol Powers; R. Crosby Kemper III, and DJ Hyde Matheny
Volunteers of the Year: Joanne Snow, 1859 Jail Museum; Jim Evans, Archives & Research Library
Historical Film of the Year: Terence M. O'Malley, Tom & Harry: The Boss and The President
Celebrating Our Cultural Heritage: The Lone Jack Historical Society, recognizing their 150th Anniversary of the Civil War Battle of Lone Jack Re-enactment
2011
Jane Flynn Lifetime Achievement Award in Historic Preservation: Kathleen Tuohey
Historical Book of the Year: Raymond E. Elder, Historian, Historic Street Scenes of Kansas City
Volunteers of the Year: Dorace Wilson, 1859 Jail Museum; Pati Kidwell, Archives & Research Library
Historical Film of the Year: Kevin Willmott; Greg Hurd; and Truman Medical Center, From Separate to Equal: The Creation of Truman Medical Center
Perseverance to Preserve Cultural History: The Black Archives of Mid-America at Kansas City, to celebrate a NEW era and facility for the Archives
2010
Jane Fifield Flynn Lifetime Achievement in Historic Preservation: Henry Marnett
Volunteers of the Year: Bud Vitt (Jail Museum); and Gary Kimball (Archives)
Historical Book of the Year: Bruce Mathews, editor, Elmwood Cemetery: Stories of Kansas City
Historical Film of the Year: Gary Jenkins, filmmaker/producer, Negroes to Hire
Preserving Jackson County History: John B. Wornall House Museum, for Alexander Majors Home
2009
Jane Fifield Flynn Lifetime Achievement in Historic Preservation: In Memory of Greg Hawley, Steamboat Arabia Museum
Outstanding Achievement in Historic Preservation: Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders & the Jackson County Legislature, for restoration of the historic Jackson County Truman Courthouse
Outstanding Achievement in Historic Preservation and Education: Jane Mallinson, Lafarge North America, and Sugar Creek Business and Civic Club, for Wayne City Landing Interpretive Overlook
Volunteers of the Year: J. D. & Barbara Warnex (Jail Museum); and Les Simmons (Archives)
Historic Artifact Donation: Robert Owen, for Mattie Lykins Bingham manuscript, Reminiscences of Old Kansas City
Historic Book of the Year: Giles Fowler, for Deaths on Pleasant Street: The Ghastly Enigma of Colonel Swope and Doctor Hyde
2008
Excellence in Education: Felicia Hardison Londre, for The Enchanted Years of the Stage : Kansas City at the Crossroads of American Theater , 1870-1930
Historic Preservation: Anschutz Entertainment Group-AEG Live, for Renovation of the Midland Theater
Outstanding Volunteer of the Year: Brian Snyder, for Archives advocate and Jackson County Historical Society Board directorship
Outstanding Volunteer of the Year: Marge Rucker, for Garden Coordinator at the 1859 Jail , Marshals Home and Museum
Outstanding Advocates of Local History: The Monnett Battle of Westport Fund, Inc., for Battle of Westport Visitors Center, Swope Park , Kansas City
2007
Educational Media: MULLER + COMPANY, for membership cultivation booklet, Presidential Pie Eating Contests & Lesser-Known Facts from the Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society
Cultural Heritage: Joe Louis Mattox and Saint Lukes Health System, for preserving stories of Steptoe in the DVD, A Step Above the Plaza: Celebrating Westports African-American Community
Service
Advocates for Local History: Charlotte and John Belger II and Raytown Historical Society
Outstanding Volunteer: Georgia Fox and Frances Gabbard
Philanthropic Service in Local History: Daniel C. Weary, The Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust
2006
Jane Fifield Flynn Lifetime Achievement in Historic Preservation: Katheryn J. Shields, for restoration of Jackson Countys Kansas City and Independence Courthouses
Educational Media: Terence Michael OMalley, for the production of Nelly Don: A Stitch in Time (book and DVD)
Historic Preservation: Steve and Debbie Gildehaus, for the renovation and expansion of William Rockhill Nelsons Sni-A-Bar Farm, Grain Valley, Missouri
Philanthropic Service: John F. Herbst, Jr.
Outstanding Volunteers of the Year: Kathleen Tuohey and Janann Adams
2005
Historic Preservation: Ron Jury, President Development Group; and, Helix Architecture + Design, for restoration and preservation of Hilton President Hotel, 1329-1335 Baltimore, Kansas City, Missouri
Educational Media: KCPT & The Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust, for the production of Stories Under the Stones
Philanthropic Service: Chris Combest, through the Heritage League of Greater Kansas City
Documenting History through the Written Word: Nancy DeLaurier, for her book, Eastwood Hills: Changing Face of a Kansas City Neighborhood
Outstanding Volunteers of the Year: John and Lottie Cianciolo
2004
Education: Gary Swanson, as interviewer with Americans Remembered, Inc., for collaborating with the Jackson County Historical Society on the Veterans History Project, sponsored by the Library of Congress
Christina Anderson, playwright; and, The Coterie Theater, for, Sacagawea: Breath of an American Spirit, in commemoration of the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition
Historic Preservation: Kansas City Public Library (Mr. John Laney, Hall Family Foundation; Mr. Jonathan Kemper, Commerce Bank; Ms. Olivia Dorsey, Library Board President; and Mr. Phil Kirk, MCI Realty), for restoration of the First National Bank building into the Central Library at 14 West 10th Street, Kansas City, Missouri
James B, Nutter, Sr., for the Rev. Nathan Scarritt House, 4038 Central, Kansas City, Missouri; and, Nutterville, a reclamation project along Archibald, Lawrence, Central and Baltimore streets just north of 43rd Street, Kansas City, Missouri
2003
Education: Historic Garment District Group (Harvey Fried, Ann Brownfield and DST Realty, Inc., with special recognition to Oggi Modern Furnishings and Guy Merola), for the Historic Kansas City Garment Museum
Historic Preservation: Ken and Cindy McClain, for Independence Square and Truman Road Re-Development, Independence, Missouri
Documenting History through the Written Word: Edward T. Matheny, Jr., for several book titles he has written and published
2002
Education: Diane Houk, for founding The Puppetry Arts Institute
Special Commendation: Cohen Esrey Historic Housing Partners, represented by Vincent Gauthier, Missouri Housing Development Commission, represented by Executive Director Erica Dobreff, and the City of Independence, represented by Mayor Pro-Tem Don Reimal, for Maple Avenue Apartments, Independence, Missouri
Historic Preservation: Mrs. Shirley Helzberg; and, David Disney, J. E. Dunn Construction, for Webster House, 17th and Wyandotte, Kansas City, Missouri
2001
Philanthropic Service: Jeannette Nichols, and the late Miller Nichols
Education: Kathy Vest, for work with the Truman Whistle Stop Project
Living History: Ralph Monaco
Special Commendation: Brent Schondelmeyer
1999
Historic Preservation: Union Station Assistance Corporation, for restoration of Union Station Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
Neighborhood Preservation: Brian Snyder, Harry S Truman Historic District and William McCoy House, Independence, Missouri
Education: Kansas City Star for the series, Kansas City in the 19th Century
Corporate Achievement: Fine Arts Theatre Group, for the Englewood and Granada Theatres, Independence, Missouri
Heritage: Raytown Sesquicentennial Commission
Volunteer of the Year: Barbara Funk
1998
Historic Preservation: Lee Bowers, for saving Westport Ballet Building, 3936 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri
Corporate Achievement: Kevin Pistelli and Robert Graham, Kansas City Downtown Hotel Group, L.L. C., for restoration of the Muehlebach Hotel
Governmental: FOCUS (Forging our Comprehensive Urban Strategy), for development of the Kansas City Historic Preservation Plan
Media: KSHB-TV, NBC Channel 41, for the series Kansas City Crossroads
Volunteer of the Year: John Cianciolo
Major Donor Achievement: Donna and Michael Martin, for donation of Clintons Soda Fountain and Gifts
Jane Fifield Flynn Lifetime Achievement in Historic Preservation: Sally Schwenk, director of the Historic Kansas City Foundation
1997
Merit: Jennifer Walker, for restoration and of 1915 plaster moldings in the Muehlebach Hotel
Bekki Cook, Missouri Secretary of State, for implementing preservation of Missouri archival records
Service
Rockhill Homes Association, Brian Ball, President, for maintaining the historic integrity of the Rockhill neighborhood, and serving as a model for other local home associations
Hon. Rondell Stewart, Mayor of Independence, for leadership in Independence preservation
Historic Preservation: Dr. Rowena Stewart for leadership in revitalization of the 18th and Vine Historic District
Corporate Achievement: DST Realty, Inc., Phil Kirk President, for key role in current revival of downtown Kansas City
1996
Media: The Kansas City Star, for history-related stories and opinion pieces, etc.
Corporate Achievement: Hugh Zimmer, the Zimmer Companies for adaptive reuse of historic New York Life Building, 20 West 9th Street, Kansas City, Missouri
Richard Green and Robert Green, UtiliCorp, for New York Life Building, 20 West 9th Street, Kansas City, Missouri
Historic Preservation: Richard Powell for preservation and renovation of historic commercial structures in block bounded by 8th and 9th Streets, and Baltimore and Wyandotte Streets, Kansas City, Missouri.
Friends of the Rice-Tremonti Home for preservation of the Archibald Rice Plantation and Aunt Sophies Slave Cabin, Raytown, Missouri
Friends of Sacred Structures for preserving and relocating White Oak Chapel
Service: Charles Shangler, Bisceglia Cultural Center for establishing a community focal point for preservation and appreciation of Italian culture
Jane Fifield Flynn Lifetime Achievement in Historic Preservation: Jane Fifield Flynn
1995
Historic Preservation: Dana and Don White for renovation of Sawyer-Jennings Home, Independence, Missouri
Twentieth Century Companies, Inc. for preservation of Main Street commercial streetscape, Independence, Missouri
Adam Jones, for revitalizing and preserving historic fabric of Kansas City West Side neighborhood
Kansas City Power & Light Co., for preserving a piece of the Santa Fe Trail and a Civil War battle site, as well as a section of Kansas prairie
Service: Greg Hermon, for leadership in preservation of Lanesfield School and the adjacent prairie (see KCPL above)
Katheryn J. Shields, for leadership and advocacy on behalf of historic properties while serving on the City Council, and as Jackson County Executive
Youth: Emily Cope, for research and writing on the James Morgan Walker site and historic cemetery near James Lewis School in Blue Springs, Missouri
1994
History and Preservation: Buck ONeil and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, for preservation of history of Negro Leagues Baseball
Harry S. Truman Farm Home Foundation, for insuring perpetuity of Truman Farm Home
Virginia and Sarah Weatherly, for stewardship of an historic garden
Service: Ginny and Dean Graves, for creation and youth programming of CUBE (Center for Understanding the Built Environment)
Media: The Independence Examiner
Certificate of Merit: Joanie Shields, for giving reality a future for the Historic Kansas City Foundation
Nels Pierson, for recovering and restoring an abandoned pre-Civil War family cemetery
Mildred Kittell Ray, for post card collection loan
1993
History and Preservation: Save a Connie, Inc., for acquiring and restoring the Star of America, a Lockheed Super G Constellation
Media: James J. Fisher and The Kansas City Star, for the Following the Oregon Trail series commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the trail
Historic Preservation: Monnett Battle of Westport Fund, Inc., of the Civil War Roundtable of Kansas City, for preservation of the Byrams Ford area , site of the Big Blue Battlefield, October 1864, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Honorary Life Membership: Hazel Graham, for 21 years of service to JCHS
1992
Historic Preservation: River Salvage, Inc., for their salvage of the 1856 Steamboat Arabia
Media: KCPT Channel 19, for historical programming, including the documentary War on the Border, Kansas City Illustrated series, and interviews with David McCullough
Service and Preservation: Dr. Bruce Prince-Joseph, for preservation and restoration of historic musical instruments
1991
Historic Preservation: Mr. & Mrs. A. Layle (Petey) Childers, for Hughes-Gregg House, 801 South Main Street, Independence, Missouri
Media: Ardis Glenn, for her dedication to and love of the printed word as demonstrated through her acquisition, preservation, and promotion of rare books, maps and manuscripts.
Service: Marjorie C. Kinney, for her work in the Missouri Valley Room collection of the Kansas City Public Library.
1973
(Awards presented by the State of Missouri for the National Register of Historic Places nominations)
Restoration and Preservation: Mrs. J. Roger DeWitt, for the Vaile Victorian Mansion
The Jackson County Historical Society, for the 1859 Jackson County Jail and Marshals Home
Restoration and Preservation
The Jackson County Historical Society, for the John B. Wornall House
1971
Restoration and Preservation: The Harris House in Old Westport, Missouri (Kansas City)
1969
Restoration and Preservation: John C. Monroe, Jr., and Gene E. Lefebre, Architects, for Major William Warner (former Kansas City mayor) residence on Quality Hill
1967
(Awards presented by the Kansas State Historical Society and American Assoc. of State and Local History)
Restoration and Preservation: The Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society, for outstanding work in the field of Historic Preservation
Restoration and Preservation
Jackson County, Missouri, government, for outstanding work in the field of Historic Preservation
1965
Restoration and Preservation: Miss Harriet Campbell Johnston, for her 100-year-old home at 305 North Pleasant Street, Independence, Missouri (which was also the home of Jackson Countys first Marshal, Major Granville D. Page, before it became the home of her ancestors)
1964
Restoration and Preservation: Rev. James D. McCallum, Rector; Judge Arthur J. Stanley; J. L. Jessee; and, James M. Kemper, Sr. (for funds from the David Woods Kemper Memorial Foundation), for St. Marys Episcopal Church, 1301 Holmes, Kansas City, Missouri
1962
Restoration and Preservation: Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett Boder, Missouri Valley Trust Company, St. Joseph, Missouri
1960
Restoration and Preservation: Womans Civic Club of Independence, Missouri, for William Bullitt Howard One-Room Schoolhouse, formerly on the Howard Plantation in Lees Summit, Missouri (and relocated to the site of the 1859 Jail, Marshals Home and Museum, 218 North Main Street, Independence, Missouri)
1959
Restoration and Preservation: Chase County (Kansas) Historical Society, for Chase County Courthouse
1958
Restoration and Preservation: Mrs. Rosemary Long Reed, for Stratford, Home of Robert E. Lee, Staunton, Virginia
Mrs. Howard Beasley, for pre-Civil War home, near Marshall, Missouri
Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas City, Missouri, for Reconstruction of Fort Osage National Historic Site