Award Program
2025 Award Winners | 2024 Award Winners | 2023 Award Winners | Nomination Forms
Awarded at the Annual Conference, these scholarships and awards reflect the Association’s mission to encourage engagement with Arkansas history, especially in the realms of education and writing.
AHA Student/Teacher Scholarship
The Arkansas Historical Association is pleased to offer a scholarship for students and teachers to facilitate attendance to its annual conference. Eligible applicants include undergraduate or graduate students currently enrolled in an Arkansas institution of higher learning and K-12 history and social studies teachers.
Three scholarships, each of $300, will be awarded. Funds may be used for lodging, transportation, meals, and registration.
How to Apply
To be considered, interested applicants should provide a letter of interest addressing how attending the conference and the conference theme would benefit their research, studies, or students, along with a separate letter of support from a faculty member (for students) or a school administrator (for teachers).
Entries may be emailed, or if sent by mail, should be postmarked by the deadline, clearly labeled “Student/Teacher Scholarship,” and addressed to:
Arkansas Historical Association
416 N. Campus Drive, MAIN 416
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
For questions, contact the AHA at (479) 575-5884 or renwickh@uark.edu.
Application deadline is March 1, 2026.
show lessDr. C. Calvin Smith Scholarship
The Arkansas Historical Association presents the Dr. C. Calvin Smith Scholarship to support a college student inspired to follow in his footsteps. Dr. Smith (1943-2009) contributed to Arkansas history as a scholar, teacher, administrator, and mentor for more than thirty years. A son of the Delta, he was among the first generation of African Americans to earn a doctorate at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and among the first Black faculty members at Arkansas State University, where he spent his career, retiring in 2002 at the rank of distinguished professor. He helped establish A-State’s Heritage Studies Program while publishing pioneering scholarship of his own in Arkansas and African American history, including War and Wartime Changes: Arkansas, 1940-1945 and Educating the Masses: The Unfolding History of Black School Administrators in Arkansas, 1900-2000.
The scholarship will include a two-year membership in the AHA as well as a grant of up to $500 to fund attendance at the Association’s annual conference and defray research and material expenses should the applicant present a paper there. Applicants may self-nominate or be nominated by another person.
It is the Association’s intent through this scholarship to build a membership that better reflects Arkansas in all of its wonderful variety.
How to Apply
To be considered, interested applicants should provide a brief biography, a current plan of study, and a statement describing how the applicant hopes to build on Dr. Smith’s legacy.
Entries may be emailed, or if sent by mail, should be postmarked by the deadline, clearly labeled “Smith Scholarship,” and addressed to:
Arkansas Historical Association
416 N. Campus Drive, MAIN 416
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
For questions, contact the AHA at (479) 575-5884 or renwickh@uark.edu.
Application deadline is March 1, 2026.
show lessJohn William Graves Book Award
The John William Graves Book Award was established in 2015 and is presented biennially for the best book-length nonfiction historical study whose primary focus is any aspect of the history of race relations in Arkansas or of the history of African Americans in Arkansas. It is given in honor of historian John William Graves, who received his B.A. and M.A. in history from the University of Arkansas in 1964 and 1967 and his Ph.D. in history from the University of Virginia in 1978. He is a past president of the Arkansas Historical Association and the author of Town and Country: Race Relations in an Urban-Rural Context, Arkansas, 1865-1905, published by the University of Arkansas Press.
Eligible works include book-length historical studies written in English and published in the two calendar years preceding the annual conference.
The winner receives a framed certificate and prize of $1000. The publisher is honored with a certificate of merit and a grateful letter of transmittal.
How to Apply >>How to Apply
To be considered, mail one copy to each award committee member and email the AHA (at renwickh@uark.edu), providing name and contact information. Entries must be postmarked by the deadline and clearly labeled “Graves Award.” Mailing and postage are the responsibility of the publisher or applicant. Entries will not be returned but will be retained by committee members, who are serving without compensation. No late submissions will be accepted.
Committee Members:
Blake Perkins, PO Box 45, Lynn, AR 72440
Lisa Speer, Archives & Special Collections, Riley-Hickingbotham Library, 410 Ouachita Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71998
Brian Mitchell, 3 Candlewood Drive #10, Springfield, IL 62704
For questions, contact the AHA at (479) 575-5884 or renwickh@uark.edu.
Application deadline is January 1, 2026.
show lessJ. G. Ragsdale Book Award
Since 2002, the Arkansas Historical Association has annually presented the J. G. Ragsdale Book Award in Arkansas History for the best book-length nonfiction historical study of any aspect of Arkansas history. This award is given in honor of J. G. Ragsdale, a 1919 graduate of the University of Arkansas. Ragsdale was a founding member of the Arkansas Historical Association and chaired the board of trustees at the University of Arkansas.
Eligible works include book-length historical studies written in English and published in the two calendar years preceding the annual conference.
The winner receives a framed certificate and prize of $1000. The publisher is honored with a certificate of merit and a grateful letter of transmittal.
How to Apply >>How to Apply
To be considered, mail one copy to each award committee member and email the AHA (at renwickh@uark.edu), providing name and contact information. Entries must be postmarked by the deadline and clearly labeled “Ragsdale Award.” Mailing and postage are the responsibility of the publisher or applicant. Entries will not be returned but will be retained by committee members, who are serving without compensation. No late submissions will be accepted.
Committee Members:
Tom Wing, 1102 Fir Drive, Van Buren, AR 72956
Ralph Wilcox, 1100 North Street, Little Rock, AR 72201
Brian Irby, 17 East Lake Drive, North Little Rock, AR
For questions, contact the AHA at (479) 575-5884 or renwickh@uark.edu.
Application deadline is January 1, 2026.
show lessJames H. Atkinson Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Arkansas History
A leader in Arkansas history education, James H. Atkinson was a founder and twice president of the Pulaski County Historical Society and editor of its journal for over ten years. For more than twenty years, he served on the editorial staff of the Arkansas Historical Quarterly, and in 1952 he became president of the Arkansas Historical Association. He was also chairman of the Arkansas History Commission for eight of the twelve years that he served on its board. For these enduring contributions, his title, “Mr. Arkansas History,” was more than well-deserved. This award for Excellence in the Teaching of Arkansas History is given in his honor.
Any elementary or secondary teacher who teaches a course in Arkansas history is eligible for the award. The winner will receive a framed certificate and a prize of $1000 at the annual conference. The winner will be notified prior to the meeting.
How to Apply >>How to Apply
To be considered, applicants should return four completed copies of the official entry form to the AHA by the deadline. No late submissions will be accepted.
Entries may be emailed, or if sent by mail, should be postmarked by the deadline, clearly labeled “Atkinson Award,” and addressed to:
Arkansas Historical Association
416 N. Campus Drive, MAIN 416
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
For questions, contact the AHA at (479) 575-5884 or renwickh@uark.edu.
Application deadline is March 1, 2026.
show lessLucille Westbrook and Violet B. Gingles History Awards
The Westbrook Local History Award is presented for the best manuscript article on a topic of local Arkansas history. The article must deal with a phase of neighborhood, city, county, or regional history or with a person associated with local Arkansas history. Edited documents and memoirs will be considered for this award. The award recipient will receive a framed certificate and prize of $1000.
The Gingles Award is presented for the best manuscript article on any topic of Arkansas history. The article can deal with any phase of the history of the state or with any individual connected with its past. The award recipient will receive a framed certificate and prize of $500.
Anyone, whether a professional or an amateur historian, is eligible to submit a manuscript. Winners will be determined by a panel of judges, who will determine the placement of entries in either the Westbrook or Gingles category. An entry will not be considered for both prizes, and the AHA reserves the right not to award one or both of the prizes in a given year. Recipients will be awarded at the annual conference.
How to Apply >>How to Apply
To be considered, entries should be submitted in triplicate. Manuscripts should be no longer than thirty-five double-spaced pages, must be documented, and must not have been submitted elsewhere or previously published. Notes should be numbered consecutively. Since manuscripts are evaluated anonymously, only the full title of the article should appear at the top of the first page of the manuscript. On a separate page the following information should be included: article title, author’s name, address, phone number, and email address. All essays will be considered for publication in the Arkansas Historical Quarterly. If the essay is not published, the author will be free to pursue other opportunities. One copy of each entry will be placed in Special Collections, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville. Submission of an entry presumes permission for researcher use.
Entries may be emailed, or if sent by mail, should be postmarked by the deadline, clearly labeled “Westbrook/Gingles Awards,” and addressed to
Arkansas Historical Association
416 N. Campus Drive, MAIN 416
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
For questions, contact the AHA at (479) 575-5884 or renwickh@uark.edu.
Application deadline is February 1, 2026.
show lessSusannah DeBlack Award
The Susannah DeBlack Award was established through the generosity of Thomas, Susan, and Susannah DeBlack, for books introducing young readers to Arkansas history.
Eligible works include books for young readers (grades K-8) on a topic related to Arkansas history published within the two calendar years preceding the annual conference. The winner will receive a framed certificate and prize of $250 at the annual conference.
How to Apply
To be considered, mail one copy of the submission to each award committee member and email the AHA (at renwickh@uark.edu), providing name and contact information.
Entries must postmarked by the deadline and clearly labeled “DeBlack Award.” Mailing and postage are the responsibility of publisher or applicant. Entries will not be returned but retained by awards committee members. No late submissions will be accepted.
Committee Members:
Sonny Rhodes, 950 East H Avenue, North Little Rock, AR 72116
Tom DeBlack, 1735 Chicot Drive, Conway, AR 72034
Kaylyn Busch, 282 Wedgeview Drive, Farmington, AR 72730
For questions, contact the AHA at (479) 575-5884 or renwickh@uark.edu.
Application deadline is February 1, 2026.
show lessJames L. Foster and Billy W. Beason Award
The James L. Foster and Billy W. Beason Award competition was established through the initiative of Dr. Buck Foster and funded by the Foster and Beason families to promote the scholarly study of the state’s history.
Eligible works include master’s theses or doctoral dissertations completed in the last year addressing an aspect of Arkansas’s history. Thesis and dissertation advisors or sponsoring history departments are invited to submit students’ work for consideration. The winner will receive a framed certificate and prize of $500 at the annual conference.
How to Apply >>How to Apply
To be considered, entries should be submitted in triplicate. Since submissions will be evaluated anonymously, only the full title of the work should appear at the top of the first page. On a separate page, contact information for the author, advisor, and department should be given.
Entries, may be emailed, or if sent by mail, should be postmarked by the deadline, clearly labeled “Foster-Beason Award,” and addressed to:
Arkansas Historical Association
416 N. Campus Drive, MAIN 416
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
For questions, contact the AHA at (479) 575-5884 or renwickh@uark.edu.
Application deadline is January 15, 2026.
show lessNEARA Award for Exemplary Archival Research
The NEARA Award was established in 2013 to honor volunteers from the Lawrence County Historical Society who saved the territorial records for future researchers when the Powhatan county seat was abandoned in 1963. The award is funded through the generosity of the family of Eugene Sloan (1892-1981), a Jonesboro lawyer born in Powhatan, to encourage primary document research at the Northeast Arkansas Regional Archives (NEARA) in Powhatan. Anyone, whether a professional or amateur historian, is eligible to submit a manuscript.
Eligible works include manuscript articles using archival records from NEARA, particularly the Lawrence County territorial papers (1815-1836), some of which have been posted online. The winner will be determined by a three-person panel consisting of representatives of NEARA and the Arkansas Historical Association and will receive a framed certificate and prize of $1000 at the annual conference.
How to Apply >>How to Apply
To be considered, entries should be submitted in triplicate. Manuscripts should be no longer than thirty-five double-spaced pages, must be documented, and must not have been submitted elsewhere or previously published. Notes should be numbered consecutively. Since manuscripts are evaluated anonymously, only the full title of the article should appear at the top of the first page of the manuscript. On a separate page the following information should be included: article title, author’s name, address, phone number, and email address. All articles will be considered for publication in the Arkansas Historical Quarterly. If the essay is not published, authors are free to pursue other opportunities. Copies will be placed with NEARA and Special Collections at the University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville. Submission of an entry presumes permission for researcher use. The AHA reserves the right not to award a prize in a given year.
Entries postmarked by the deadline and clearly labeled “NEARA Award” should be mailed to:
Arkansas Historical Association
416 N. Campus Drive, MAIN 416
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
For questions, contact the AHA at (479) 575-5884 or renwickh@uark.edu.
Application deadline is February 1, 2026.
show lessTom Dillard Advocacy Award
The Tom Dillard Advocacy Award honors Tom W. Dillard’s decades of work as an archivist, historian, writer, collector, and promoter of the teaching of Arkansas history in the state’s schools and is awarded annually to a person or organization who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to promoting the study, appreciation, preservation, and dissemination of Arkansas history.
Individuals, non-profits, governmental agencies, and private businesses are eligible. Candidates for the Tom Dillard Advocacy Award may be self-nominated or nominated by others. The winner will receive a certificate and prize of $300 at the annual conference.
This award was established and funded by Timothy G. Nutt.
How to Apply >>How to Apply
To be considered, submit a biography, current résumé, and detailed statement of the advocacy work of the nominee, along with any supporting material. Entries may by emailed or mailed in triplicate to the AHA by the deadline.
Entries postmarked by the deadline and clearly labeled “Dillard Award” should be mailed to:
Arkansas Historical Association
416 N. Campus Drive, MAIN 416
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
For questions, contact the AHA at (479) 575-5884 or renwickh@uark.edu.
Application deadline is February 1, 2026.
show lessWalter L. Brown Awards
The Walter L. Brown Awards support Arkansas county and local historical journals and newsletters and the individual authors published in their pages. We hope your society will chose to submit a competition entry.
The following awards are offered to journals:
Walter L. Brown Award for the Best County or Local Journal ($100 prize)
Honorable Mention
Best Use of Graphics in a County or Local Journal
Best Newsletter
The following awards are offered to individual authors:
Best Article in a County or Local Journal ($100 prize)
Best Biography, Autobiography, or Memoir
Best Family History
Best Church History
Best Community History
Best School History
Best Business History
Best Edited Document
The awards will be presented at the annual conference. Winners will be notified in advance.
How to Apply
To be considered, interested societies should submit three complete sets of the volume of its journal completed in the calendar year preceding the annual conference, as well as any newsletters published. A volume can consist of a single annual publication, two semi-annual publications, four quarterly issues, etc. Entries will be judged on the basis of format, historical content, writing style, and editing. The AHA reserves the judges’ right to determine whether an individual award will be given in a particular year.
Entries postmarked by the deadline and clearly labeled “Brown Awards” should be mailed to:
Arkansas Historical Association
416 N. Campus Drive, MAIN 416
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
For questions, contact the AHA at (479) 575-5884 or renwickh@uark.edu.
Application deadline is February 1, 2026.
show lessDiamond Award
The Diamond Award is given to an institution or to an individual representing a collective initiative that makes an exceptional contribution to the study, preservation, or promotion of Arkansas history.
How to Nominate >>Nominations must be made by or through a member of the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas Historical Association. AHA members may submit nominations to a member of the board of trustees no later than December 1 for the next year’s award program.
show lessAward of Merit
The Board of Trustees invites members of the Arkansas Historical Association to suggest programs, projects, or individuals for consideration for Awards of Merit from the AHA.
How to Nominate >>How to Nominate
The procedure and guidelines are as follows: 1) For a proposal to be considered, it must be sponsored by a Board member, must be in writing, and should be accompanied by an explanation or description of the program’s or project’s work or the individual’s worthy deeds; 2) All projects and programs recommended for commendation should reflect responsible standards of historical objectivity and factual accuracy; 3) Commendations should not be presented to programs and projects that are primarily commercial in focus. AHA members may submit nominations to a member of the board of trustees no later than December 1 for the next year’s award program.