Awards
The Shelby County Historical Society has won numerous awards from state and national historical organizations. These awards show the outstanding effort of an organization trying not only to preserve its local history but also for bringing that history to life. The Society is honored that their efforts, almost yearly, have received state wide recognition for their contributions not only to the community but also for their state wide appeal.
History Outreach Award in the Public Programming category for the event and program “Happy Birthday Big 4 Bridge!” presented by the Ohio Local History Alliance
Leadership in History Award for “The Wallace Family Learning and Innovation Center” presented by the American Association for State and Local History
Beautification Award for the Wallace Family Learning and Innovation Center presented by the Sidney-Shelby County Chamber of Commerce
History Outreach Award for creating the exhibit “The Wallace Family Learning and Innovation Center” presented by the Ohio Local History Award
An award of commendation for the placement of an Ohio Historical Marker for the “Village of Rumley” presented by the Ohio History Connection
History Outreach Award in the Public Programming category for the event and program “Field of Crosses and Vietnam Wall” presented by the Ohio Local History Alliance
History Outreach Award in the Media & Publications category for the book “The Churches of Shelby County Past and Present” presented by the Ohio Local History Alliance
This church directory is part of the 2019 Shelby County, Ohio and 2020 Sidney, Ohio Bicentennial celebrations.
Faith has played an important role in the history and development of the county. The goal of this publication is to provide a listing and history of all current and former (Bygone) churches in the area. Additional demographic information is also included.
This publication was made possible through the efforts of the following: Steve and Peggy Baker, Creative Marketing Strategies, the Shelby County Historical Society, Jane Bailey, Greg and Priscilla Wilt.
Visual Communications Award Honorable Mention Level 2 for the book “The Churches of Shelby County Past and Present” presented by the Ohio Museums Association
History Outreach Award in the Public Programming category for the year-long celebration “Shelby County, Ohio Bicentennial 1819-2019” presented by the Ohio Local History Alliance
The Shelby County Bicentennial Committee received a Guiness World Record for 2,344 people simultaneously opening a pop can on September 18, 2019
History Outreach Award in the Public Programming category for the event “Tawawa Park 70th Anniversary Celebration” presented by the Ohio Local History Alliance
History Outreach Award for the educational program “Manufacturing Day” presented by the Ohio Local History Alliance
History Outreach Award for the event “Civil War Living History Weekend” presented by the Ohio Local History Alliance
History Outreach Award for the “Year of Valor” consisting of a year of programs and events dedicated to remembering those who served in the United States Armed Forces presented by the Ohio Local History Alliance
Ohio Civil War 150 Heritage Award presented by the Ohio History Connection in appreciation to the Shelby County Historical Society for giving every eighth grade student in Shelby County an unforgettable experience in understanding both sides of the Civil War through its annual Civil War Day
History Outreach Award for the “Greenville Treaty Line Marker & Sycamore Tree Dedication,” a joint program with the Fort Loramie Historical Association, presented by the Ohio Local History Alliance
History Outreach Award for the program “SCHS Commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War” presented by the Ohio Local History Alliance
Tilda Phlipot and the Shelby County Historical Society is presented with a Friend of Sidney Middle School award in recognition of Outstanding Service to the Sidney Middle School Community presented by the Ohio Local History Alliance
History Outreach Award for the program “Native American Experience & Native American Gathering with Speaker Dr. Herman Viola”
Maggie Marconi, president of OLHA shared with the audience that Martin “Tall Horse” Chambers had requested that the SCHS help him share the story of the Native Americans who still live in Shelby County. Chambers passed away during the planning and never got to see his dream come to life.
History Outreach Award for the program “How 9/11 Changed Our Lives Forever” presented by the Ohio Local History Alliance
Partnering with veterans organizations, local schools, and churches the Society was able to create a series of events that told the story of how 9/11 truly changed our lives forever. The Shelby County Historical Society exhibit committee was pushed to its limits to create an exhibit with very few artifacts. Local speakers, including Chuck Price associated with Campus Crusade for Christ and Eric Leckey a member of President Bush’s Home Land Security, told of their contributions both during and after the attacks on the World Trade Center. Presenting the USO show to a standing room only crowd was the perfect ending to prove that the Shelby County community continues its support for the men and women who are fighting for our freedom today.
History Outreach Award for the “Honoring Those who Serve Events” consisting of the Field of Flags and Traveling Vietnam Wall presented by the Ohio Local History Alliance
The Shelby County Historical Society was honored to partner with all the veterans in the Shelby County community to step back in time and try to thank the Vietnam veterans for preserving our freedom. This project brought a separated community together and started the healing process. The members of the core committees were Jon Baker, Jim Hall, Ray Prater, Jody Prater, Mark Harrod, Suzie Harrod, Mark Deam, Bob Stevenson, Patti Speelman, Cecil Steel, Keith McLain, Ken New, Jon Johnson, Mary Ellen Egbert, Steve Egbert, Carleen Pettit, Sharon Mohrbacher, and Tilda Phlipot.
History Outreach award for the program “Civil War Day,” an educational day created for all 8th grade students in Shelby County, presented by the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums
The Shelby County Historical Society Youth Committee partnering,with all the schools in the county, have done an outstanding job creating and implementing educational programming for the youth of this community. This committee comprised of retired teachers includes Cheryl Michael, Joyce Wells, Jane Jones, Faye Spangler, Nancy Junkins, and of course director Tilda Phlipot. Communities across the state of Ohio have emulated these projects in one form or another. The Society has not only been honored for these programs, but they have also been asked to present at the state level how this type of programming could be introduced into other communities.
Excellence Award for the educational program “Coming to America,” created for all 5th grade students in Shelby County, presented by the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums
The publication “Postcard Images of Shelby County” written by Terry Lee was presented with an Excellence Award by the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums
Lee, who was the curator of the Ross Center from 2000 to 2005, used his love for postcards to tell a pictorial story of Shelby County. He not only donated his time and research creating this book, but also the proceeds to the Shelby County Historical Society.
Terry Lee is honored with an Outstanding Individual Achievement presented by the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums for his contributions to the Shelby County Historical Society
Excellence Award for the educational program “Pioneer Day,” an educational day for all 4th grade students in Shelby County, presented by the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums
Linda DeVelvis is honored with an Outstanding Individual Achievement Award presented by the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums for selflessly going beyond the normal contributions of preserving local history
As a social studies teacher, Linda spent her whole career helping the youth of our community to understand the value of their history. Researching and writing the Treasure Chest Collection series of books was just one of DeVelvis’s contributions to the Shelby County Historical Society along with donating all the proceeds from the sale of each of these books. She was honored in 2004 for selflessly going beyond the normal contributions of preserving local history.
The Shelby County Apple Fest and Ohio Bicentennial Committee are honored by the Ohio Senate and the General Assembly of the State of Ohio.
Rich Wallace is honored with an Outstanding Individual Achievement Award presented by the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums
Wallace at that time had dedicated over a decade of his life researching and writing articles for the Sidney Daily News, which eventually became Voices of the Past and Voices of the Past II. Wallace generously donated the proceeds from these two volumes to offset the operating cost of the Ross Historical Center. He also was instrumental in the reorganization of the Shelby County Historical Society and the driving force of opening the Ross Historical Center. His vision took the Society from monthly meetings to creating a place where Shelby County history can come to life.
Jim Sayre is honored for his contributions to the Shelby County Historical Society with an award presented by the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums
Sayre was the first director of the Shelby County Historical Society along with being the editor of the Society’s newsletter. He was also known for his series of historical newspaper articles and the “Out of the Past” column for the Sidney Daily News.
He wrote two books, Farm Tales and The Grandpa Ride, and donated all of the proceeds from both books to the Shelby County Historical Society.
Excellence in Educational Programming for the “Just for Kids” committee’s publication of a series of eight Teacher’s Guides implemented in Sidney’s elementary curriculum presented by the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums.
Excellence in History Publications for the merchandise catalog “History to Call Your Own” presented by the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums
Excellence in Public Programming for our “Victorian Evening” presented by the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums
Excellence in Newsletter for our “Historical Highlights” presented by the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums