On October 7th, the twelfth annual Esto Perpetua Awards will be presented at the Idaho State Historical Society Annual Meeting at the Idaho Historical Museum, 610 North Julia Davis Drive, Boise. Each year, these awards honor individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the preservation of Idaho history through professional accomplishments, public service, volunteerism, or philanthropy.

About the Award

The "Esto Perpetua" award honors significant contributions to the preservation of Idaho history through professional accomplishment, public service, volunteerism, and philanthropy. It takes its name from Idaho's state motto, translatable as, "Let It Be Perpetual." Awards in Individual, Organizational, and Academic/Professional categories are given each year.

"These awards allow the agency to acknowledge and thank those people and institutions who make a difference in our common missions of preserving and protecting Idaho history," explains Tom Blanchard, chair of the board of trustees of the ISHS.

Nominations can be made by filling out a nomination form or by sending a letter that includes the name, address, and telephone number of the candidate and a narrative description of the worthiness of the candidate for the award. Criteria include:

• Exemplary accomplishments in the preservation of Idaho's cultural or natural heritage assets.

• Demonstrated commitment to the education, protection and interpretation of Idaho's cultural or natural assets, and the integration of these assets into community life.

• Innovative, creative, and responsible approaches to showcasing Idaho's historic resources in their communities.

Anyone can nominate an individual or organization for the award, but contact information must also be included for those making a nomination. Prior nominees who have not received the award may be submitted for consideration again this year. Any organization, business, government entity, or individual is eligible to receive an Esto Perpetua Award. However, Idaho State Historical Society staff and members of its board of trustees are NOT eligible to receive this award during their employment/term(s) of office with the agency, or for five years thereafter.

Nomination should be sent to the Idaho State Historical Society, Esto Perpetua Award, 2205 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, ID 83712. Deadline for submission is June 1, 2010.

Since the award was created by the Society in 1999, 72 individuals and organizations from throughout the state have been honored.

For additional information, call the Idaho State Historical Society toll free at 877-OLD-GEMS.

Download an application form (Acrobat format)

Prior Recipients

2009

Jack and Barb Coyner, Princeton

Friends of the Idaho State Historical Museum

Honorable Byron J. Johnson, Idaho City

Idaho Governor's Lewis and Clark Trail Committee

Ernie Lombard, Eagle

Helen Turner Lowell, Parma

City of Nampa and Nampa Historic Preservation Committee

Dr. Robert Sims, Boise

2008

Teddy Daley, Laura Hall, and the Blaine County Museum/Heritage Court, Hailey

Shelley Kuther, Craigmont

Julie Monroe, Moscow

Ruth Ann Olsen and the South Bannack Historical Center, Lava Hot Springs

Marion Shinn, Lewiston

Ketchum Wagon Day Committee, City of Ketchum, Ketchum

Marcia Wall, Coeur d'Alene

Madge Wylie, Melba

2007

Terry Abraham, Moscow

Carol Anglen, Cottonwood

Dale Fisk, Council

Charles Hummel, Boise

Bernice Pullen, Orofino

Bessie Scott, Lapwai

Adelia Garro Simplot, Boise

2006

Ron Pisaneschi (Chair) accepting for the Idaho Humanities Council, Boise

Carol Sue Hauntz, Grangeville

Governor Jim Risch, Boise

Victoria Mitchell, Moscow

Dick Riggs and the Nez Perce County Historical Society

2005

Ace Barton, Riggins

Gaetha Pace and the Idaho Heritage Trust, Statewide

Jane Teachman Daniels, Ashton

Julie Hyslop, Nampa

Colen H. Sweeten Jr., Springville, Utah

Adams County Historical Society, New Meadows

Chesterfield Foundation, Bancroft

2004

Roberta Green, Challis

Thelma McMurtray, Ririe

Virginia Ricketts, Jerome

Louise Shadduck, Coeur d'Alene

Carmelita Spencer, Grangeville

Assistance League of Boise-Bown House Project, Boise

Preservation Idaho, Statewide

2003

Felix Aripa, Tensed

Arthur A. Hart, Boise

Lillian Pethtel, Kamiah

Bonnie Stoddard, Dubois

Nelle Tobias, McCall

Friends of Stricker, Inc., Hansen

2002

Lois Bates, Blackfoot

Jerry Glenn, Rexburg

Margaret Nell Longeteig, Lewiston

The Post Falls Historical Society

2001

Louis Clements, Rexburg

Tom Hall, Bruneau

Jo Thomason, Craigmont

Bonner County Historical Society and Museum, Sandpoint

Snake River Heritage Center Museum, Weiser

2000

Robert Allen, Pierce

Allie Hansen, Preston

Mary Reed and the Latah County Historical Society, Moscow

Former Governor Robert Smylie, Boise

1999

Cort Conley, Boise

Harry Magnuson, Wallace

Edna McGown, Twin Falls

Sister Catherine Manderfeld/Monastery of St. Gertrude's, Cottonwood

Merle Wells, Boise