​​With the HVHS board’s conceptual acceptance of the proposed History Awards program in January 2021, the Awards Committee began developing eligibility criteria and guidelines for the six awards categories set forth in the proposed program. These criteria are intended to be helpful in matching potential nominees to the right award category, and in distinguishing the differences between the categories. Hopewell Valley Historical Society is referred to as HVHS, The Hopewell Museum is referred to as HM.

 

All references to HVHS in the above criteria should be understood to mean HVHS and/or HM.

 

The categories are:

Distinguished Service Award

Award for Service

Outstanding Support for Hopewell History Award

Student of Hopewell History Award

Public History Award

Historic Preservation Award

 

See below for eligibility requirements

 

Distinguished Service Award

 

Eligibility criteria

1. Ten (10) or more years’ cumulative service directly to HVHS and/or HM*, in support of HVHS’s mission and program.

2. “Distinguished” service implies that a nominee’s contributions have been exceptional, with notable achievements or contributions that have had a widely recognized, clear, positive impact in advancing the public mission, programs and projects of HVHS, and/or improving HVHS’s internal operations (such as outstanding service as a board member, officer, committee chair, or appointee).

3. Service to HVHS in a non-elected or non-appointed position may also be considered in determining eligibility for DSA.

4. Nominees shall have been members of HVHS in good standing during the period in which their direct service occurred.

5. Financial support for HVHS or donations to its collections alone (e.g., charitable giving, bequests, gifts of collections, etc.)—without having done direct, personal service in support of the Society’s mission, programs and projects—will not qualify a person for DSA nomination. Significant financial contributions or donation of collections to the Society may be considered in determining eligibility for nomination, provided other forms of outstanding direct service have been performed. See Outstanding Support/Advocacy Award (OSA) below.

6. Nominations should enumerate and clearly describe in writing a nominee’s exceptional service contributions.

7. DSA may be given jointly to two or more persons who have worked very closely together in providing service to HVHS in advancing its mission and programs.

8. It is anticipated that only one (1) DSA will be granted in any given year. If the Awards Nomination/Selection Committee feels that there are two or more equally deserving nominees, they should give weight to such urgent factors such as the age and relative health of the nominees in deciding which to honor in the current cycle.  Deserving nominees who are passed over for such reason in the current cycle may be carried over for consideration in future years. It is also conceivable that there may be no (0) DSA recipient in a given annual awards cycle if no one is considered deserving in that cycle.

9. Nominees may be living or deceased.

 

 

 

Award for Service

 

Eligibility criteria

1. Less than ten (10) years’ cumulative service directly to HVHS and/or HM*, in support of HVHS’s mission and program. AFS nominees may be considered eligible for a single outstanding service achievement or contribution, or for multiple ones considered cumulatively.

2. “Service” implies that a nominee’s contributions have been outstanding, with achievements or contributions that have had a recognized, clear, positive impact in advancing the public mission, programs and projects of HVHS, and/or improving HVHS’s internal operations (such as outstanding service as a board member, officer, committee chair, or appointee).

3. Service to HVHS in a non-elected or non-appointed position may also be considered in determining eligibility for AFS.

4. Nominees shall have been members of HVHS in good standing during the period in which their direct service occurred.

5. Financial support for HVHS or donations to its collections alone (e.g., charitable giving, bequests, gifts of collections, etc.)—without having done direct, personal service in support of the Society’s mission, programs and projects—will not qualify a person for AFS nomination. Significant financial contributions or donation of collections to the Society may be considered in determining eligibility for nomination, provided other forms of outstanding direct service have been performed. See Outstanding Support/Advocacy Award (OSA) below.

6. Nominations should enumerate and clearly describe in writing a nominee’s outstanding service contribution(s).

7. It is anticipated that there may be multiple AFS recipients in any given year; there will be no limit on the number of nominees considered or awards given. It is also

8. conceivable that there may be no (0) AFS recipients in a given annual awards cycle, if no one is considered deserving in that cycle.

9. Nominees may be living or deceased.

 

 

Outstanding Support for Hopewell History Award

 

Eligibility criteria

Nominees for the Outstanding Support for Hopewell History Award (OSHHA) shall meet one (1) or more of the following criteria:

 

1. Public actions, policy and/or budgetary decisions, and demonstrations of support and/or advocacy for the cause of preserving, promoting, supporting, and making more accessible the history of the community. Such demonstrations may be directly in support of the mission and programs of HVHS, but do not need to be. For example, a public official, business owner, or allied organization that actively supports an effort or undertaking that advances history preservation, access, and appreciation in ways that align with the general mission and programs of HVHS— even if done independently—should be eligible for nomination. History-supportive actions and decisions by members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, state legislators, members of the Mercer County Board of Commissioners, and members of the Mercer County Cultural & Heritage Commission would qualify.

2. Sponsorship of history programs and projects financially and/or through in-kind services. Sponsorship may be for HVHS programs and projects directly, but need not be, provided the sponsorship is public and quantifiable.

3. Active participation in partnership and alliances that advances history preservation, access, and appreciation, even if done under a broader umbrella of programs or project to benefit the community, such as preserving and protecting the environment, promoting cultural and arts appreciation, improving civic engagement, etc.

4. Major support to HVHS and/or HM through donation of funds, collections, or in kind services.

5. Eligibility of nominees shall not depend on being past or current members of HVHS, although membership may be a factor considered in evaluating potential nominees. f. Eligibility of nominees shall not depend on being resident or based in the Hopewell area.

6. Nominations should enumerate and clearly describe in writing examples of a nominee’s activities in support of Hopewell history.

7. Nominees may be living or deceased.

 

 

Student of Hopewell History Award

 

Eligibility criteria

Nominees for the Student of Hopewell History Awards (SHHA) shall meet one (1) or more of the following criteria:

1. Performed research and/or writing (published or unpublished) focused significantly on the history of the Hopewell area within the context of formal school, college, or university studies.

   • Nominations would require supporting letters of endorsement from the students’ teachers or professors

2. Performed a project advancing preservation, access, or public appreciation of historical collections, properties, or sites involving Hopewell history. May include:

   •  internship with HVHS, and/or HM, and/or another area organization/group whose collections or mission encompass Hopewell history in a significant way

   • archival preservation, arrangement, and description projects

   • photographic or video documentation projects

   • architectural projects

   • oral history projects

   • genealogical projects

   • historic property or site clean-up or interpretive projects

   • community projects primarily focused on local history. Nominations would require supporting letters of endorsement from the students’ organizational leader (e.g., faculty, teacher, scoutmaster, 4-H club leader, local official, etc.)

3. Hopewell history-themed artistic expressions and endeavors (visual, musical, or performing arts).

   • Nominations would require supporting letters of endorsement from the students’ organizational leader (e.g., faculty, teacher, scoutmaster, 4-H club leader, local official, etc.)

4. Nominees may be, but need not be, members of HVHS.

 

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Public History Award

 

Eligibility criteria

Nominees for the Public History Awards (PHA) shall meet one (1) or more of the  following criteria:

1. Performed research and/or writing (usually published) focused significantly on the history of the Hopewell area, outside the context of formal school, college, or  university studies. For the purposes of this award category, research, writing, editing, publishing, and presenting on archaeology, historic preservation, architectural history, oral history, material culture, and genealogy are included.

2. Presented public lectures, power points, seminars, talks, tours, and workshops, etc. focused significantly on the history of the Hopewell area. Presentations may be live (in-person or virtual) or recorded (e.g., YouTube, podcasts, etc.). Such presentations may be for scheduled programs of HVHS, as well as teaching classes and leading tours for groups in local schools, libraries, community or senior centers, scouting groups, 4-H clubs, etc.

3. Provided curatorial and/or interpretive services in museums, libraries, and historic sites focused significantly on the history of the Hopewell area

4. Developed and maintained web sites or content for web sites focused significantly on the history of the Hopewell area.

5. Advocated for public policies and funding for preserving local history and promoting public appreciation therefor.

6. Nominees may be, but need not be, members of HVHS.

7. Nominees may be living or deceased.

 

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Historic Preservation Award

 

Eligibility Criteria for Award Nominees

Nominees for the Historic Preservation Award (HPA) shall meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. be the legal owner(s) of a private or residential or commercial property within the boundaries of the three local municipalities

2. be the governing body of a publicly owned property within the boundaries of the three local municipalities

3. be the governing body of a non-profit organizational owner or lessee of a property within the boundaries of the three local municipalities

4. be persons, corporations, or other organizations that have been engaged in historic preservation research, advocacy, education, publication, public policy development, or work in preservation architecture, preservation planning, construction, restoration, or fine craftsmanship applied in a historic preservation project within the boundaries of the three local municipalities

5. be persons, corporations, or other organizations that have researched, designed, and/or created and/or installed historic markers or developed wayfinding programs

6. Note:  There may be no (0) HPA recipient in each annual awards cycle, if no one is considered deserving in that cycle.

 

Definitions of Eligible Properties, Sites, or Markers

 Following are definitions and examples of the kinds of properties, sites, or marking products and programs involving historic preservation that nominees for this category shall have contributed efforts toward:

1. a place possessing documented historical significance, and/or architectural and/or engineering merit (incorporate or reference National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) criteria and definitions)

2. a building (solid structure with a roof and walls, such as a house, school, store, office, barn, farm outbuilding, place of worship, community facility, railroad station, workshop, place of business, or factory)

3. a ruin, i.e., the physical remains of a building or structure that has fallen into a state of decay, neglect, or partial destruction

4. a site on which a building or structure (as described above) formerly stood

5. an erected or fabricated structure or system of structures designed to facilitate transportation or commercial enterprise (including, but not limited to, a road, bridge, canal, railroad, dam, sluice, quarry, airport, etc.)

6. a site on which a significant event occurred (e.g., landing site of the Delaware crossing of the Continental Army, Frog War, Lindbergh child discovery, etc.)

7. a building and/or parcel of land occupied by a historically significant person, family, organization, or business (e.g., John Hart Homestead, Johnson Ferry House, Hopewell Academy, Pennington School, etc.)

8. a delineated area on which historic activity or collective occupation occurred (e.g., route of march of the Continental Army; the Honey Hollow cluster of historic farmsteads; Sourland Mountain cluster of historic farmsteads, former native American villages such as Wissamonson and Minnepenasson)

9. an archaeological site exhibiting material evidence of past human life including artifacts, features, structures, organic and/or environmental remains

10. a streetscape that preserves the overall, collective visual character and physical environment of a street, encompassing both natural and built elements; or a viewshed that preserves the visual integrity, character, and setting of historic sites, buildings, or scenic, cultural landscapes.

11. a marker or series of markers, or wayfinding programs commemorating and explaining the significance of places of historical significance and/or architectural and/or engineering merit

12. a park, garden, cemetery or otherwise designed and/or contained landscape area that could include structures (i.e., a gazebo, bandstand, etc.), monuments, planting beds, walkways and the like; that has been maintained and or restored; and is part of a village, town or significant property.

 

Examples of Eligible Activities

 Following are examples of the types of activities nominees should be expected to have performed to qualify for this award:

1. Preservation of an eligible property, including physical rehabilitation or restoration of an existing structure that preserves its historic character and structural fabric

2. Protection of an eligible property from destruction or other activity that would damage or have an adverse impact on its survival and integrity, including relocation of such properties

3. Maintenance of a historic property over time, applying continuous, non-destructive, and sensitive treatments to sustain a property's existing form, materials, and integrity. It includes routine upkeep to prevent deterioration, and using methods that keep the original character and appearance.

4. Protection of archaeological sites from disruption or destruction

5. Research that contributes significantly to defining, preserving and protecting historic properties and archaeological sites (e.g., preparing local, state and national register nominations for individual properties and historic districts, contributing to local and state government historic preservation plans and policies)

6. Advocacy that advances public awareness of, and support for, preservation and protection of historic properties, districts, archaeologically sensitive sites and other historic resources

7. Marking of, and developing wayfinding programs for places of historic, architectural, engineering, or cultural significance, for the purpose of advancing public education and awareness, and support for their preservation and protection

8. Creation, acquisition, restoration, and/or installation and display of historical or history-related works of art in or on a historic property or building dedicated to history (e.g., Washington Crossing the Delaware by the American artist George Matthews Harding in the WCSP Visitor Center).