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The Illinois State Historical Society introduced the 2023 recipients of its Best of Illinois History awards on Saturday, April 29, at the Hoogland Center for the Arts in Springfield. In keeping with the mission of the ISHS “to foster awareness, understanding, research, preservation, and recognition of history in Illinois,” the Society honored this year’s 30-plus award recipients and their invited guests, many of whom had traveled from several states and one from Switzerland to accept their awards.

Congratulations to this year’s achievers. You have given all of us much to discover. Thanks for your hard work and dedication to Prairie State history!

The COVID-19 pandemic was, despite the nationwide lockdown, a banner year for Prairie State history, as this year’s “Best of Illinois History Awards” attest. Nominations came in from all over the state and quite a few from beyond our perimeters, suggesting that Illinois “Wondrous Story” has wings.

This year’s Best of Illinois History harvest includes teachers and students, scholars and researchers, volunteers and professionals, writers and editors, and young and old—people from all walks of life who have broadened our knowledge of what it means to be an Illinoisan and to call this landscape home.

Click on the "Read More" button to view the full list of award winnters.