Ripon Historical Society to Receive Prestigious Honor from Wisconsin State Historical Society September 12 | New

Christian Overland, director and CEO of the Wisconsin State Historical Society, will present the Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy at the Ripon Historical Society, 508 Watson St., Monday, September 12 from 3-4:30 p.m.

A ribbon cutting, reception and inauguration will follow from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., which includes a new exhibit in the main gallery.

Wine, beer, sparkling water and appetizers will be served free of charge and the public may attend.

The Ripon Historical Society will also celebrate the refresh and redecoration of the interior of its museum.

About the price

The Wisconsin Historical Society has announced its annual Board of Curators Awards, which recognize organizations across the state for outstanding work consistent with their mission to connect people to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing stories.

“We have been informed that the Board of Trustees has received many nominees this year for the Reuben Gold Thwaites Award for Local History, and the Ripon Historical Society is honored to receive this recognition,” said Ripon Historical President. Society, Pat Grahn.

The Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy for Local History is awarded annually to an affiliated historical organization for continued excellence and overall service to its community, over a period of at least five years. The trophy is held by the winning affiliate for one year.

About the Ripon Historical Society

The 2022 Thwaites Trophy recognizes the Ripon Historical Society’s commitment to strengthening the organization through community partnerships such as Ripon College student internships, local Scouting projects, and public programming and storytelling that reach multiple audiences and age groups.

In addition, the company has a news website, social media, weekly articles in the Ripon Commonwealth newspaper, newsletters, emails, in-person visits, and more.

“Our goal is to provide meaningful information that brings people together,” Grahn said. “We have a treasure trove of reference material, photos and historical data.”

To achieve this, she noted that the Ripon Historical Society uses a thoughtful approach to developing relevant materials, designing timely and changing exhibits, and sponsorship programs that demonstrate a commitment to local community and service.

Reuben Gold Thwaites’ footprint in history

Reuben Gold Thwaites (1853-1913) was the child of a pioneer family that moved to Omro, Wisconsin in 1866. Thwaites studied history, literature, and law at Yale University and the University of Wisconsin.

Later, Thwaites became editor of the Wisconsin State Journal and secretary of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.

Thwaites did not believe that all work should be done in an office, so he chose to travel as well and work “in the field”. In 1898 he chose to visit Ripon and speak to local leaders about the importance of preserving and learning from history.

Thwaites’ enthusiasm was well received, and the Ripon Historical Society was founded in 1899, making it the oldest continuously operating historical society in the state.

“How ironic that Thwaites first visited Ripon with the aim of inspiring the preservation and sharing of local history and that the Ripon Historical Society is recognized today with an award in its very name”, said the Ripon Historical Society.

Think and anticipate

The Ripon Historical Society first won the Reuben Gold Thwaites Award in 1975 for outstanding service, member commitment, and implementation of local America’s Bicentennial programs and is again honored with this award. in 2022.

Once the annual Reuben Gold Thwaites Prize has been awarded, the same historical society cannot win again for 25 years, meaning Ripon cannot win again until 2047.

That said, the Ripon Historical Society has emphasized its commitment to discovering, preserving, and sharing Ripon’s unique place in Wisconsin and United States history.

For more information, call the Ripon Historical Society at 920-748-5354 or email [email protected]