The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) seeks not only to enrich and maintain the historical record, but also to champion history’s uses and enhance its value to the public. As part of its 175th anniversary celebration, HSP established the Founder’s Award for Exemplary Service to History to recognize leaders in these causes.
The medal was commissioned with the assistance of Lea Aspinwall Cadwalader, in memory of her husband John Cadwalader, a longtime HSP councilor. The face of the medal is based on Alexander Milne Calder’s model for the statue of William Penn atop Philadelphia’s City Hall.
Past Honorees:
2000
James Biddle
Clayborne Carson
Lorene Cary
Hanna Holborn Gray
2001
Anne d’Harnoncourt
Barbara and Henry Jordan
Jim Lehrer
2002
James Billington
Charles Blockson
Vartan Gregorian
Bette Bao Lord
2003
Ken Burns
2004
Donald G. Brownlow
Mary Maples Dunn
Sheldon Hackney
Gary Nash
2005
Robert Bogle
Ed Bradley
Terry Gross
Al Hunt
Trudy Rubin
2006
Andrea Mitchell
Denise Scott Brown
Robert Venturi
2007
The Honorable William T. Coleman Jr., Esq.
2008
Al Día
The Jewish Exponent
The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Tribune
2009
John C. and Chara C. Haas
Joseph M. Torsella
2010
Cokie Roberts
Jerry and Marciarose Shestack
2011
Susan Eisenhower
2012
David McCullough
2013
Jon Meacham
About the Heritage Award
The Heritage Award, created in 2005, is presented to those who have made significant contributions to the future of the heritage of the Philadelphia region and in support of the work of HSP.
The face of the medal depicts HSP’s historic Addison Hutton building at 1300 Locust Street, the repository for over 21 million documents (including the only handwritten working drafts of the U.S. Constitution), books, photographs, maps, and other graphics—essential material for understanding the nation, the commonwealth, and Philadelphia.
Past Honorees:
2005
Bernard Guet
Andrew Speizman
2006
George W. Connell
Ira Harkavy, Ph.D.
2007
John C. Bogle
2009
Barbara L. Greenfield
2010
Henry Lafayette Collins III
2011
Howard H. Lewis
2012
Collin F. McNeil
2013
Sarah D. Price
Philip Price Jr.