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About the Secretary's Awards
Section 110(h) of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 U.S.C. 306110) directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish an annual award program to recognize the outstanding contributions in the area of historic preservation.The Secretary's award is distinguished from other historic preservation award programs because it:
- is statutorily mandated as a Cabinet-level recognition;
- focuses on the accomplishments of individual employees whose work enhanced and/or improved historic preservation in their agency, state, tribal, or local government;
- and recognizes the contributions of employees at multiple levels of government.
When are Nominations Accepted?
If nominations are currently being accepted, there will also be details on how to submit a nomination below. Please read all information, including the frequently asked questions below before preparing a nomination.Frequently Asked Questions
Detailed information on the nomination process, eligibility, and how nominations will be evaluated may be found below.Anyone may prepare a nomination and nominate someone who meets the eligibility criteria.
We strongly encourage Federal agencies, State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, and Certified Local Governments to nominate outstanding employees for this recognition.
Special Note to Federal Employees: Any work on a nomination must comply with applicable ethics laws and regulations. Your appropriate ethics office should be consulted for additional guidance. Also note that federal employees may also be required, at the discretion of the National Park Service, to recuse themselves from involvement in the review and approval process of nomination for which they provided support or assistance.
We strongly encourage Federal agencies, State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, and Certified Local Governments to nominate outstanding employees for this recognition.
Special Note to Federal Employees: Any work on a nomination must comply with applicable ethics laws and regulations. Your appropriate ethics office should be consulted for additional guidance. Also note that federal employees may also be required, at the discretion of the National Park Service, to recuse themselves from involvement in the review and approval process of nomination for which they provided support or assistance.
Officers and employees of Federal Preservation Offices, State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, and Certified Local Governments are eligible for the award. Employees of the National Park Service’s Washington Office (WASO) are not eligible for this award.
Please note that once nominees are selected for recommendation to the Secretary of the Interior for the award, they will be vetted as to the same standard of conduct to which federal employees are held. The nominee's employers may be asked about any disciplinary action taken by the employer for violation of conduct standards, ethical standards, or any other applicable policies and/or Federal laws, rules, or regulations.
Please note that once nominees are selected for recommendation to the Secretary of the Interior for the award, they will be vetted as to the same standard of conduct to which federal employees are held. The nominee's employers may be asked about any disciplinary action taken by the employer for violation of conduct standards, ethical standards, or any other applicable policies and/or Federal laws, rules, or regulations.
Nominations are evaluated and given a numerical score based upon these four questions:
1. The nominee fulfilled the required preservation program responsibilities in an exemplary and outstanding manner. (20 points)
2. The nominee is credited with special achievements in fulfilling the required preservation program responsibilities. (20 points)
3. The nominee is credited with establishing/expanding/advancing historic preservation programs in their agency/state/tribe/community. (20 points)
4. The nominee's accomplishments and/or special achievements proved to be models for other preservation programs beyond their jurisdiction or served as a national model. (40 points)
1. The nominee fulfilled the required preservation program responsibilities in an exemplary and outstanding manner. (20 points)
2. The nominee is credited with special achievements in fulfilling the required preservation program responsibilities. (20 points)
3. The nominee is credited with establishing/expanding/advancing historic preservation programs in their agency/state/tribe/community. (20 points)
4. The nominee's accomplishments and/or special achievements proved to be models for other preservation programs beyond their jurisdiction or served as a national model. (40 points)
When the nomination period is open, the National Park Service encourages Federal agencies, State Historic Preservation Offices, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, and Certified Local Governments to nominate outstanding employees for this recognition. The Secretary may present up to four annual awards, one for each type of government agency (federal, state, tribal, and local). The National Park Service on behalf of the Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior will administer a national competition to select the winners.
The nomination must include contact information (name, title, address, work phone, email address) for both the nominee and the nominator. Nominations must also include a narrative statement (no more than three pages) that addresses the award criteria (i.e., explain how the nominee’s worked fulfilled and improved their preservation program responsibilities under the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act).
Please note that once nominees are selected for recommendation to the Sectary of the Interior for the award, they will be vetted as to the same standards of conduct to which federal employees are held. The nominee’s employers may be asked about any disciplinary action taken by the employer for violation of conduct standards, ethical standards or any other applicable policies and/or Federal laws, rules or regulations.
The nomination must include contact information (name, title, address, work phone, email address) for both the nominee and the nominator. Nominations must also include a narrative statement (no more than three pages) that addresses the award criteria (i.e., explain how the nominee’s worked fulfilled and improved their preservation program responsibilities under the requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act).
Please note that once nominees are selected for recommendation to the Sectary of the Interior for the award, they will be vetted as to the same standards of conduct to which federal employees are held. The nominee’s employers may be asked about any disciplinary action taken by the employer for violation of conduct standards, ethical standards or any other applicable policies and/or Federal laws, rules or regulations.
The award recognizes special achievements by employees of federal, state, tribal, and local preservation programs who have made outstanding contributions to the preservation of historic places. Nominees must be individuals whose contributions surpass the expected scope of their position, and whose creativity and expertise have significantly fostered the overall goals of the National Historic Preservation Act. In your nomination please describe the significant achievements for which the employee is being nominated and how their accomplishments have helped the Federal Agency, State Historic Preservation Office, Tribal Historic Preservation Office or Certified Local Government fulfill and improve their preservation program responsibilities and/or requirements (cited below).
Federal Preservation Office program responsibilities and requirement can be found in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Federal Agency Historic Preservation Programs Pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act can be found at the Federal Preservation Institute. Also, see 54 U.S.C. 306101-306131.
State Historic Preservation Office program responsibilities and requirement can be found in the National Park Service’s "Procedures for State, Tribal, and Local Government Historic Preservation Programs” and 54 U.S.C. 302303.
Tribal Historic Preservation Office program responsibilities and requirement can be found in “Appendix A, Historic Preservation Officer Responsibilities That May Be Assumed by Indian Tribes” on page 10 of the National Park Service’s "Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Application Instructions." Also, please see 54 U.S.C. 302702.
Certified Local Government program responsibilities and requirement can be found in the National Park Service’s “Procedures for State, Tribal, and Local Government Historic Preservation Programs” and 54 U.S.C. 302502-302505.
Federal Preservation Office program responsibilities and requirement can be found in the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Federal Agency Historic Preservation Programs Pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act can be found at the Federal Preservation Institute. Also, see 54 U.S.C. 306101-306131.
State Historic Preservation Office program responsibilities and requirement can be found in the National Park Service’s "Procedures for State, Tribal, and Local Government Historic Preservation Programs” and 54 U.S.C. 302303.
Tribal Historic Preservation Office program responsibilities and requirement can be found in “Appendix A, Historic Preservation Officer Responsibilities That May Be Assumed by Indian Tribes” on page 10 of the National Park Service’s "Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Application Instructions." Also, please see 54 U.S.C. 302702.
Certified Local Government program responsibilities and requirement can be found in the National Park Service’s “Procedures for State, Tribal, and Local Government Historic Preservation Programs” and 54 U.S.C. 302502-302505.
Please call 202-354-2020 or email us.
Past Award Winners
Federal Preservation Office CategoryDeborah Corbett, Fish and Wildlife ServiceScott B. Shepherd, III, Air Force Robin D. Hawks, Ph.D., Bureau of Land Management John S. Wilson, Fish and Wildlife Service Beth L. Savage, General Services Administration Brian A. Jordan, Ph.D., Bureau of Energy Management |
State Historic Preservation Office CategoryCalder Loth, Virginia Department of Historic ResourcesRuth L. Pierpont, New York State Historic Preservation Office Dan Elswick, South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office Ann L. Swanson, Idaho State Historic Preservation Office Dan W. Corson, History Colorado (State Historic Preservation Office) Melvena Heisch, Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office |
Tribal Historic Preservation Office CategoryKelly Jackson, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa IndiansTerry D. Cole, Choctaw Nation Bill Helmer, Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley Alan S. Downer, Ph.D., Navajo Nation Vernelda J. Grant, San Carolos Apache Nation Loretta Kelly-Jackson, Hualapai Tribe |
Certified Local Government CategoryWilliam Morgan, Muncie, IndianaMichael Leventhal, Arlington County, Virginia Michelle Pierce, Lake City, Colorado Dana N. Sigmon, Okmulgee, Oklahoma Esley Hamilton, St. Louis County, Missouri Nancy Hiestand, Bloomington, Indiana |
Last updated: December 10, 2018