The Henry Ford Estate was one of two institutions to receive a State History Award in the Special Programs and Events category from the Historical Society of Michigan.

The State History Awards are the highest recognition presented by the state’s official historical society.

Karen Marzonie (above, right), Estate landscape manager, accepted the award from historical society trustee Kendall Wingrove during a ceremony at the 137^th Annual Meeting and State History Conference last month in Traverse City.

The Henry Ford Estate received the honor for its “Cultural Landscape Symposium 2010: Prairie Style Design Legacy in SE Michigan and Relevance Today.” The Estate teamed with several local partners for the two-day traveling symposium and received funds from a Michigan Humanities Council grant. The symposium focused on the historical significance, legacy and relevance of “Prairie Style” landscape design in southeast Michigan as illustrated in the works of O.C. Simonds and Jens Jensen, a leader in the Midwestern conservation movement. The symposium brought together historians, curators, architects, landscape designers, gardeners and members of the public to learn from this legacy and to apply its lessons to modern challenges.

The other State History Award in the Special Programs and Events category was given to North Berrien Historical Society for its program, “Women in Baseball.”

In total, 17 awards were presented this year in a variety of categories, including Lifetime Achievement, Distinguished Volunteer Service, Outstanding Educator, Communications, Local Societies, Institutions, Restoration/Preservation, Media, Publications: University and Commercial Press, Publications: Private Printing, Educational Programs, and Special Programs and Events.

Photo courtesy the Historical Society of Michigan.

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