2024 Local History Awardees Selected by State Historical Society

November 13, 2024

BISMARCK, N.D. - The State Historical Society of North Dakota is pleased to announce the winners of their 2024 history awards in two categories. The annual awards recognize outstanding achievement in providing access to North Dakota history. Jon A. McMillan of Grand Forks and Allan Burke of Linton received the Excellence in Local History Award and Curtis G. Eriksmoen of Bismarck received the Heritage Profile Honor Award.

The Excellence in Local History Award recognizes individuals or groups who have dedicated their time, talent, and efforts to local and regional history that can serve as a role model of excellence. The award honors those associated specifically with local, county, and regional historical organizations within North Dakota.

McMillan was instrumental in the creation of the Walsh County Historic Preservation Commission, the first historic preservation commission in the state, and was a founding member of the North Dakota Archaeological Association. His dedication to North Dakota is apparent through his many levels of service on local and statewide boards, including the State Historical Society of North Dakota Foundation, supporting historic preservation, education, and philanthropy.

Burke, a seasoned journalist, historian, and publisher, has dedicated much of his life to preserving of the craft of traditional letterpress printing. He founded the Braddock News Letterpress Museum, located on the South Central Threshing Association grounds in Braddock, where he showcases historical printing presses and equipment, offers hands-on demonstrations, and educates students of all ages in historical printing methods.

The Heritage Profile Honor Award identifies individuals who have made a lasting or significant contribution in preserving, interpreting, researching, publishing, promoting, or otherwise extending the knowledge and understanding of the history of North Dakota, and have demonstrated long-term dedication and personal commitment in pursuit of these goals.

Eriksmoen has uncovered and shared fascinating stories, highlighting notable people, places and events, contributing to preserving the state's unique heritage. His work spans weekly InForum newspaper articles and a series of books titled "Did You Know That...?" He contributed significantly to North Dakota's Blue Book, a comprehensive reference on the state's history, government, and cultural heritage.

Details and nomination forms are available at history.nd.gov/historyawardforms.html. Nominations for Local History Awards and are due the second Friday in July. Nominations can be made anytime; those received after the due date will be considered the following year. For more information about the Local History Award program, contact Ashleigh Miller at 701.328.2667 or [email protected], or visit history.nd.gov.

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CONTACT
Kara Haff, Public Information Officer
701.328.3547

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IMAGE CAPTION
From left, Excellence in Local History Awardee Alan Burke, State Historical Society of North Dakota Director Bill Peterson, Excellence in Local History Awardee Jon McMillan, Heritage Profile Honor Awardee Curtis Eriksmoen with his wife, Jan Eriksmoen, and State Historical Society of North Dakota Foundation Executive Director Dale Lennon following the 2024 Local History Award Ceremony held Nov. 12 in Bismarck to recognize outstanding achievement in providing access to North Dakota history. (SHSND Photo)

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