American Antiquarian Society Wins National Humanities Medal

Thursday, July 24, 2014
GoLocalWorcester News Team

Worcester’s own American Antiquarian Society has been announced as one of the ten winners of the 2013 National Humanities Medal, as announced by President Obama earlier in the week.

Medals are awarded annually for outstanding achievements in history, cultural studies, filmmaking, cultural commentary, and historic preservation. The National Humanities Medal honors individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the humanities, broadened our citizens’ engagement with the humanities, or helped preserve and expand Americans’ access to important resources in the humanities.

“AAS is extremely humbled and honored to be a recipient of a 2013 National Humanities Medal,” said the American Antiquarian Society on their website. “President Barack Obama will present the medal to AAS president Ellen S. Dunlap at the White House on Monday, July 28, 2014.”

The National Humanities Medals will be presented in conjunction with the National Medals of Arts at a White House ceremony on Monday, July 28, 2014. Since 1996, when the first National Humanities Medal was given, 154 individuals have been honored, inclusive of this year’s awardees.

“American Antiquarian Society, historical organization, for safeguarding the American story,” reads the official citation honoring AAS. “Through more than two centuries, the Society has amassed an unparalleled collection of historic American documents, served as a research center to scholars and students alike, and connected generations of Americans to their cultural heritage.”