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East Tennessee Historical Society honors history initiatives across the region with Awards of Excellence

by design | May 11, 2026 | The Daily Focus | 0 comments

The East Tennessee Historical Society’s (ETHS) annual Awards of Excellence were presented at the organization’s awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 5, at the East Tennessee History Center in Knoxville. Since 1982, ETHS has annually recognized individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the preservation, promotion, and interpretation of the region’s history. Eligible projects included exhibits, lectures, conferences, publications, print and broadcast media, teaching excellence, and lifetime achievement. Thirty-six awards were presented this year to recipients representing 15 East Tennessee counties, as well as two out-of-state recipients.

“This represents more than the excellent work conducted across East Tennessee,” said Dr. Warren Dockter, president and CEO of the East Tennessee Historical Society. “The award recipients with us this evening serve as models of dedication to love of place, giving of themselves to preserve our region’s history.”

Following a barbecue dinner, awards were given in the following categories:

Teaching Excellence – In recognition of outstanding or innovative teaching of history at any level, grades one through adult education.
History in the Media – Presented to someone in the field of broadcast, print media, or internet for outstanding contributions to the promotion of our region’s history.
Project Excellence – In recognition of a special project, such as a permanent, feature, or traveling exhibition; building preservation; or special programming (conference, genealogy event, lecture series, other) produced by an individual or organization.
Publication Excellence – In recognition of excellence in a publication such as an article, book, essay, family genealogy, or other.
Community History Leadership – In recognition of excellence in community leadership, specifically in promoting the preservation of local /regional history and heritage
Lifetime Achievement – Is the Society’s most prestigious award and is reserved for one, who, over the course of a lifetime, has made outstanding contributions to the understanding and preservation of East Tennessee history.

A full list and description of 2026 projects and award recipients can be found at this link. Photos of award recipients can be found at this link.

Anderson County

Ben Barrington – Publication Excellence Award
Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Norris Dam State Park, and Green McAdoo Cultural Center – Teaching Excellence Award

Blount County

Trevor Lanier & Tommy Stokes – Project Excellence Award

Campbell County

Mark Tidwell – Community History Leadership Award

Cobb County, GA

John D. Fowler – Publication Excellence Award

Davidson County

Jennifer Core – Publication Excellence Award
Kem Hinton – Publication Excellence Award

DeKalb County, GA

Ren & Helen Davis – Publication Excellence Award

Hamblen County

Karen Nunan – Publication Excellence Award

Knox County

Ashley Wachter – Project Excellence Award
Barbara Boulton & Gay Hobt Morton – Tennessee Association of Museums Volunteerism Award
Debra Pack Gilberstadt & Deborah Miller Lindsey – Publication Excellence Award
East Tennessee PBS – History in the Media Award
Farragut Museum – Project Excellence Award & Publication Excellence Award
Front Page Foundation – Project Excellence Award
John Becker – History in the Media Award
Kharmon Anderson – Publication Excellence Award
McClung Museum of Natural History & Culture – Project Excellence Award
Patricia Rutenberg – Teaching Excellence Award
Ray Hill – Publication Excellence Award