From the extremely high attendance numbers; to a packed room for the opening keynote "Inventing the Outdoors: The Marble Arms Company" with Dennis Pace of the Michigan History Museum; to popular sessions such as "The Dock Behind
Historical Society of Michigan 5815 Executive Dr. Lansing, MI 48911 Contact: Nancy Feldbush (517) 324-1828 <mailto:hsm@hsmichigan.org> hsm@hsmichigan.org For Immediate Release Upper Peninsula History Awards Presented to Frederick Stonehouse and Finnish American Heritage Center and History Hero Award Presented to James Paquette ESCANABA, Mich.-Frederick Stonehouse, the Finnish American Heritage Center and James Paquette won top honors at the Historical Society of Michigan's 70th annual Upper Peninsula History Conference for their outstanding efforts to preserve and promote the history of the Upper Peninsula. Stonehouse, who hails from Marquette, Michigan, received the Charles Follo Award, which acknowledges the work of an individual. The Superior Award, which recognizes the achievements of historical societies, museums and other history-related organizations, was awarded to the Finnish American Heritage Center located in Hancock. Paquette, who hails from Negaunee, Michigan, received the History Hero Award, which celebrates the impact of an individual outside of the history field for his or her significant contributions to Michigan's history. The awards were presented during the Society's Upper Peninsula History Awards Banquet that took place at the Highland Golf Club in Escanaba, Michigan, on June 29, 2019. (Detailed descriptions of each recipient are listed at the end of this news release.) The Upper Peninsula History Conference, which took place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 28-30, 2019, in Escanaba, Michigan, attracted nearly 270 participants-marking the event the second-largest Upper Peninsula History Conference in history. The Historical Society of Michigan's Upper Peninsula History Conference pays particular attention to U.P. history topics and explores the heritage of the host area. the Lock: Escanaba's WWII Ore Dock," "Braving the Waves: Life-Saving Service on the Shipwreck Coast" and "Blind Tigers and Police Raids: Prohibition in Delta County"; to the culmination of the conference on Saturday evening with the Upper Peninsula History Awards Banquet-this year's conference in Escanaba was a multifaceted success. For more information about the Historical Society of Michigan and its award programs and conferences, visit <http://www.hsmichigan.org/> hsmichigan.org or call (800) 692-1828. THE 2019 CHARLES FOLLO AWARD The Charles Follo Award was established in 1979 and is named in honor of Charles Follo, a school teacher from Escanaba who worked to establish historical societies and promote the history of the Upper Peninsula. This award is presented annually by the Historical Society of Michigan to the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the preservation and promotion of U.P. history. This year, the Society awarded the Charles Follo Award to Frederick Stonehouse of Marquette, Michigan. Stonehouse has written more than 30 books on maritime history; served as a consultant for both the U.S. National Park Service and Parks Canada; and appeared on television as an on-air expert for National Geographic, History Channel, and Fox Family. Stonehouse is president of the board of directors of the Marquette Maritime Museum, a member of the national board of directors of the U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association, and a former member of the Michigan Iron Industry Museum Advisory Board. Stonehouse plays an active role in the Marquette community, where he serves as city mayor and teaches at Northern Michigan University. THE 2019 SUPERIOR AWARD Established by the Historical Society of Michigan in 2006, the Superior Award recognizes historical societies, museums and other historical organizations that preserve and advance U.P. history. The 2019 Superior Award recipient was the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock. In 1990, the Finnish American Heritage Center opened its doors at Suomi College (now Finlandia University). The center serves as a cultural focal point and a national center for exhibits, lectures, musical performances and community programs. It is also the home of the Finnish American Historical Archive, the Finnish American Folk School, and the monthly newspaper The Finnish American Reporter. THE 2019 HISTORY HERO AWARD The History Hero Award is bestowed by the executive leadership team of the Historical Society of Michigan to a person who, while usually not working directly in the history field, has made significant and lasting contributions that align with the mission of the Historical Society of Michigan and who has given a lifetime of dedication to the preservation and promotion of Michigan's rich and storied history. This year, the Society awarded the History Hero Award to James Paquette of Negaunee, Michigan. Paquette was a very involved member of the Historical Society of Michigan's board of trustees from 2012 to 2018. Among many other achievements, he has written a book about the discovery and excavation of the Paleo-Indian Gorto site in Michigan, co-authored several research papers, and given several talks throughout Michigan on a variety of historical topics. Paquette now serves as an archaeological and cultural resource consultant for the Marquette Regional History Center and Museum. The Historical Society of Michigan, publisher of Michigan History and Chronicle magazines, is the state's oldest cultural organization, founded in 1828 by territorial governor Lewis Cass and explorer Henry Schoolcraft. A nongovernmental nonprofit, the Society focuses on publications, conferences, education, awards and recognition programming, and support for local history organizations to preserve and promote Michigan's rich history. # # # Editor's Note: For high-resolution photos, please use these links: Caption: Historical Society of Michigan Vice President Sharon Carlson presents the Charles Follo Award to Frederick Stonehouse (left). Photo courtesy of the Historical Society of Michigan. https://hsmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Frederick-Stonehouse.jpg Caption: Historical Society of Michigan Vice President Sharon Carlson presents the Superior Award to Joanna Chopp (right), a representative of the Finnish American Heritage Center. Photo courtesy of the Historical Society of Michigan. https://hsmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Finnish-American-Heritage- Center.jpg Caption: Historical Society of Michigan Executive Director and CEO Larry Wagenaar presents the History Hero Award to James Paquette (left). Photo courtesy of the Historical Society of Michigan. https://hsmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Jim-Paquette.jpg This e-mail is sent to our members and friends to keep you updated on historical activities and opportunities to learn more about our state's history. To opt-out, please respond to this e-mail with "remove" in the subject line. 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