Doņa Ana County Historical Society
                   Las Cruces, Doņa Ana County, New Mexico

People, Place And Author Awards

This is a listing of the awards and the criteria used for selection.
It is not mandatory that an awardee be chosen each year.

People Awards

The Hall of Fame Award
The Hall of Fame Award is designed to recognize an individual chosen by the DACHS Board of Directors who is known for exceptional contributions to the preservation of the history and culture of the Mesilla Valley. The contribution should be of a substantial nature and be evidenced by enduring and observable worth to the Doņa Ana County Historical Society and the community at large. The person being recognized can be living or dead. Selection should be guided by the strict adherence to the preservation, history and cultural aspects of the award description.     Mail-in Nomination form

The Heritage Award
The Heritage Award was "established to be given to a person or persons whose actions or deeds have contributed to the historical or cultural heritage of Doņa Ana County and who is (are) not an avocational or professional historian."    Mail-in Nomination form

Building And Place Awards

Building Adhering to Regional Architecture
This award recognizes a building in Doņa Ana County built in recent times that follows the historical architectural style characteristic of New Mexico and the Southwest. Residential and commercial / industrial buildings in Doņa Ana County are eligible and owners may also nominate.     Mail-in Nomination form

Building Worthy of Preservation
This award is given to recognize a building in Doņa Ana County that is distinguished by its age and historical character, its historical significance, or that represents historical architectural character. The purpose of this award is to encourage an owner to preserve the uniqueness of the building. Residential and commercial / industrial buildings in Doņa Ana Cowunty are eligible and owners may also nominate.     Mail-in Nomination form

Buildings and Properties with Historical Significance
This designation can be applied to a property, including a district, a building, or structure, or an object, which is at least fifty years old. Criteria used to evaluate historic significance of a property include association with a significant historic event or person and / or incorporation within the property of historic characteristics of a period of time or a method of construction or an architectural style.    Mail-in Nomintation Form

Noteworthy Restoration
This award recognizes a restoration of a historic building in Doņa Ana County, not necessarily adhering to strict preservation standards.     Mail-in Nomination form

Endangered Historic Property
This designation is used to identify a historic building or structure, a site, or landscape that is endangered because of a threat to its continuing historic significance. The treat may come from neglect or abandonment, urban sprawl, inappropriate zoning, natural weathering or building techniques using incompatible materials.     Mail-in Nomintation Form

The Old Timer's Award
The Old Timer's Award recognizes a cherished object, natural phenomenon, or cultural tradition prominent in Mesilla Valley heritage. Selection should be confined to that which deserves public attention and that which would otherwise escape recognition as an important part of the physical character of this region. People are excluded. It is not mandatory that the award be given each year.     Mail-in Nomination form

Author Awards

Pasajero del Camino Real Award
This award honors an author or authors of a significant historical publication about events, persons, places or issues in Doņa Ana County or the nearby area. An author who has previously received this award will be eligible to receive it again for another work.     Mail-in Nomination form

The Gemoets Prize
This award identifies the author of the "Outstanding Article" in the current Southern New Mexico Historical review and is named after SNMHR's founders and long-time supporters, Doris and Martin Gemoets. It could also be awarded to an individual who made a contribution to the development and continuance of the review or to the outstanding article in the review as determined by the editor.  

Katherine D. Stoes Prize
This award was established by the officers of DACHS in 2003 to recognize outstanding writing or historical editing in the current issue of the Southern New Mexico Historical Review. Selection by the DACHS board.

The Hiram Hadley Prize
This award was established by the officers of DACHS in 2003 to recognize the best article on pioneer history in the current issue of the Southern New Mexico Historical Review. Selection by the Review editor.

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