Awards
To promote our goal of "Learning from the past, and preserving for the future" the Historical Society recognizes individuals and organizations for their contribution to the preservation of the history and heritage of Lumpkin County. Such contributions are recognized by awarding Certificates of Appreciation, and the Madeleine K. Anthony Award presented for the most outstanding contribution.
In May 2016 the Society established the Isabella T. Lynn Distinguished Service Award in honor of one of the Society's guiding light. The award differs from the Madeleine K. Anthony Award in that it is not restricted to any specific year.
Additionally, 8th graders from Lumpkin County Middle School receive cash awards and a Certificate of Appreciation for essays (see guidelines) on aspects of local history. This contest is named after popular author Anne Amerson.
The Society takes pleasure in recognizing individuals and organizations for their contributions to the preservation of the history and heritage of Lumpkin County during the preceding year when the MKA award is presented. These contributions keep alive the legacy of the Lumpkin County community. The lists below includes all Madeleine K. Anthony and Isabella T. Lynn award recipients since inception. Additionally, 8th grade students who received the essay award are listed. The blue link on the date leads to full details of that year's presentation. Dahlonega Nugget articles in the links are used by permission of the editor.
Nomination forms for both Awards and the Certificate of Appreciation.
Anne Dismukes Amerson 8th Grade Essay guidelines.
Madeleine K Anthony Award Recipients
2021 Anne W. Chenault
2020 None
2019 None
2018 Tim and Tracey Ragland
2017 Darrell E. Woodall
2016 Catherine and Johnny Ariemma
2015 Loudine Seabolt
2014 Tommye Scanlin
2013 Jay Markwalter and The Dahlonega Nugget
2012 Manuel B. Carvalho
2011 William "Bill" Waldrop
2010 Mike & Lynn Cottrell and Bill & Helen Hardman
2009 Unnamed Recipient and Christopher P. Worick
2008 None
2007 Walter S. Garlinghouse and Frieda W. Bafile
2007 Robert Jenkins - Lifetime Achievement
2006 Jim and Betty Smulian
2005 Larry Scott
2004 Sharon Johnson and Bill O'Leksy
2003 Robbie Niles
2002 Greg Shepard
2001 Doug and Annette Seymour
2000 Jack Anthony
1999 Jean Cuthbertson
1998 Sherman Day
1997 Jack Herbert
1996 Sally Sorohan
1995 Frank Moon
1994 None
1993 Holly Theatre
1992 Jimmy Anderson
1991 Bryan and Donna Whitfield Jr.
1990 Isabella T. Lynn
1989 Anne Dismukes Amerson
Isabella T. Lynn Award Recipients
The Anne Dismukes Amerson 8th Grade Assay Contest Award Recipients
2021 None
2020 None
2019 Zellene Moore for "The Diving Bell"
Cooper Greilich for "Bony Tank"
Amelia Kennedy for "The Smith House Country Lodge & Dining – Southern Hospitality at its finest"
2018 None
2017 Lainie Genry for Madeleine "Kiker Anthony "
Zackery Pitchford for "History of Pine Tree Plant"
Rosa Lopez for "The Smith House"
2016 Sara Beth Massey for "History of the Moore House"
Sierra Gerrells for "Wagon Train to the Georgia Capitol"
Cassidy Keen for "The Story of Mount Hope Cemetery"
2015 Mateo Golloshi for “Gold Rush: Historic Event and Festival”
Clara White for “The History of the Smith House”
Ashlynn Wistoski for “Camp Frank D. Merrill”
Shaw Patel for “Dahlonega Gold Rush Days.”
2014 Aaron Covert for “Arthur Woody”;
Rachel C. Gaston for “The Old Lumpkin County Jailhouse”
Anna Head for “Arthur Woody”;
Jacob Hester for “Garner Hester and Lumpkin County Moonshine”
Mitchell McElliott for “Camp Frank D. Merrill”
Travis Colton White for “The Old Dahlonega Courthouse”
2013 None
2012 Arlette Rojas for “Old Lumpkin County Jail”
Katie Lynn Crowel for “Just a Stone Away”
Qendrim Haxhiu for “Madeleine K. Anthony
2011 Luke Davidson for "The Appalachian Trail"
Drew Bodney for "The Sargent Building"
Rachel Steinberg for "The Historic Holly Theater"
Don Landrum for "The Magnificent Discovery of Gold"
Gracie McLeod for "Gold Rush"
2010 Ada Spahija for “The History of the Smith House.”
Charlotte Marie Gaston for “The Lumpkin County Hand Ditch.”
Jace Armstrong for “The Almost Bank Robbery: A Real Event in Dahlonega History.”
Micaela Reynolds for“Significant Places in Lumpkin County History, Camp Frank D. Merrill and NGCSU.”
2009 Mackenzie Sockwell for “The Smith House”
Rebekah Worick for “The Captain McDonald House”
2008 Jennifer Vincent for "Old Lydia School"
Whitley Grindle for " War of Greed"