GHRAB AWARDS

In its fifth annual Awards Ceremony on October 15, 2007, the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board presented 21 awards in 11 categories. These awards recognize excellence in legislative advocacy, archival program development, documenting Georgia history, research, and educational use of historical records. Student winners for grades 6-8 and 9-12, also received a financial award of $100 per award provided by the Friends of the Georgia Archives. Several SGA members or former members listed below were among the winners; see attached list for all winners.

Jean O. Turn and the Clay County Library received an Archival Program Development Award. In July 2005, the Clay County Library Board approved a 3,000 square foot building addition to house the local archives, an expansion from its 330 square foot special collections room. Through a GHRAB grant, the Clay County Library established a solid foundation for the effective administration of an archival program before its move to a larger facility. This small library in Southwest Georgia can serve as a model for similar organizations seeking to promote the identification, protection, preservation, and use of historical records.

A Special Recognition Award was presented to Clayton State University in recognition of the unique partnership of the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Board, Georgia Archives, and Clayton State University in launching the Circuit Rider Archivist program in 2005 to assist local governments, historical societies, museums, and libraries in Georgia with managing archives and records. The University’s contribution was crucial to establishing this new program.

Kaye Lanning Minchew received a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her work to improve the documentation of Georgia’s history. As Director of the Troup County Archives for 24 years, she has sought to improve records keeping in Troup County, West Georgia, and Georgia as a whole. Ms. Minchew is currently spearheading an NHPRC grant-funded project to make 19th century court records of Troup County available on the Digital Library of Georgia’s website, which will greatly increase their accessibility to researchers. She has also worked on the state and national levels to improve the care of government records through her service as a long-term member of the GHRAB Board and as co-chair of the national “Closest to Home” local government records project of the Council of State Archivists.

Robert Eugene (Bob) White, Jr. (1949-2007) represented the very best in public service. He spent most of his professional life at the Georgia Archives including several years as Deputy Director. He completed his State career as Budget and Capital Projects Director for the Secretary of State. His respected leadership and trusted fiscal analysis helped to preserve the written documentation of Georgia’s history and heritage. Everything he pursued, from fiscal planning to capital projects, he did with integrity, frugality, humor, and a spirit of service. The Lifetime Achievement Award was given posthumously by the Georgia Historical Records and Advisory Board with a profound appreciation for his many contributions to the preservation of Georgia’s history.