Nominate someone for a Heritage Keeper Award

The Montana Historical Society (MTHS) is now accepting nominations for its annual Heritage Keeper Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations whose extraordinary efforts preserve and promote Montana's rich historical and cultural heritage.

The Society's Board of Trustees will select up to two recipients for the Heritage Keeper Award. In exceptional cases, an outstanding nominee may instead receive the Heritage Guardian Award—the Society's highest honor, bestowed only when merit warrants special recognition.

Nominees must meet the following qualifications:

For Individuals:

• Be currently living
• Have demonstrated exceptional commitment to a significant Montana history project
• Have identified or preserved objects, sites, or properties of significance to Montana's historical and cultural heritage

For Organizations:

• Be currently active
• Maintain a proven record of preserving and promoting Montana's historical and cultural legacy

All nominees—whether individuals or organizations—must demonstrate dedication to Montana's heritage that extends beyond standard professional responsibilities or organizational mandates. The Board will evaluate nominations based on the significance and impact of the work in enhancing public interest and understanding of Montana's history and culture.

The Heritage Keeper Awards honor contributions across diverse areas, including:

• Historic building and landscape preservation
• Sustained historical and cultural research and publication
• Fine art history and preservation
• Educational initiatives that inspire future generations to value Montana's historical and cultural legacy for all communities

The nomination deadline is April 1, 2026. Nomination forms and detailed guidelines are available at mths.mt.gov/about/HeritageKeeperAwards. Previous nominees who have not received the award are welcome to be renominated in subsequent years.

Award recipients will be honored at individual ceremonies in summer 2026, with details to be announced. The Montana Historical Society will collaborate with nominators to ensure meaningful recognition of honorees.

For questions or additional information, please contact Jenni Carr at jenni.carr@mt.gov.