Awards - Clark County Historical Museum

celebrating our history makers

CCHM AWARDS

Honoring Those Who Keep History Alive

Every year, the Clark County Historical Museum pauses to recognize the individuals and groups whose dedication to history, preservation, and community makes our work possible. From volunteers who give thousands of hours to scholars and community leaders whose contributions leave a lasting mark on Clark County, our annual awards celebrate the people who remind us that history is not just something we study; it is something we make together.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

Each year, dedicated members of our community give something invaluable: their time. From greeting visitors to uncovering historical mysteries, our volunteers make it possible for CCHM to gather, save, and share the stories of Clark County in ways we simply could not accomplish alone. In recognition of this extraordinary commitment, the Clark County Historical Society presents the Volunteer of the Year Award at our Annual Meeting each November, honoring the individual whose contributions have made an exceptional difference in the life of our museum and the community it serves.

2025 – Samantha Smith, Vancouver, WA
2024 – Bear Martin, Vancouver, WA
2023 – Samantha Smith, Vancouver, WA
2022 – Pat Roe, Vancouver, WA
2021 – Sam Edmundson, Vancouver, WA
2020 – Jill Vernon, Vancouver, WA
2018 & 2019 – Jim and Susan Jacobs, Vancouver, WA
2017 – Jack and Konnie Wager, Vancouver, WA
2016 – Jan Anderson, Brush Prairie, WA
2015 – Craig Sessoms, Vancouver, WA
2014 – Sandy Hayslip, Vancouver, WA
2013 – Ken Fry Sr., Vancouver, WA
2012 – Howard Gingold, Vancouver, WA
2011 – John Kimbrough, Vancouver, WA
2010 – Pepper Kim, Vancouver, WA
2009 – Jane Leonard, Vancouver, WA
2008 – Larry Sickles, Vancouver, WA
2007 – Mary Grgich, Ridgefield, WA
2006 – Gail Becker, Vancouver, WA
2005 – Richard Reay, Vancouver, WA

Old car parked out front of ivy covered brick Clark County Historical Museum, old photograph

Family, child in front, man holding baby and woman standing behind surrounded by plants, vintage photograph

MARGARET COLF HEPOLA HERITAGE AWARD

Established in 2006 and named in honor of its first recipient, the Margaret Colf Hepola Heritage Award recognizes an individual whose excellence and significant contributions to the field of history or historic preservation have made a lasting impact on our communities. Recipients may live anywhere, provided their work has meaningfully shaped Clark County and the surrounding region. The award is presented to living individuals, though the Board reserves the right to honor someone posthumously when circumstances warrant. It is one of our most meaningful ways of saying thank you to those whose dedication helps ensure that the stories of this place are never lost.

2025 – Zuleimi Cocom Ruiz, Antonia Ruiz Vazquez,
and David Gonzalez, Vancouver, WA
2024 – Stacey Donovan, Vancouver, WA
2023 – Pepper Kim, Vancouver, WA
2022 – Min Kuang, Vancouver, WA
2021 – Claudia Carter, Vancouver, WA
2020 – Jan Bader, Vancouver, WA
2019 – Jefferson Davis, Vancouver, WA
2018 – M. Lethene Parks, Vancouver, WA
2017 – Mary and Carol Arden, Vancouver, WA
2016 – Roberta Emerick, Amboy, WA
2013 – Robert Schimelpfenig, Vancouver, WA
2012 – Jean Norwood, Vancouver, WA
2007 – Rudy & Betty Mae Podhora, Vancouver, WA
2006 – Margaret Colf Hepola, Woodland, WA

GROUP HERITAGE AWARD

Some of the most important work in historic preservation and community history is accomplished not by individuals working alone, but by groups of people united around a shared purpose. The Group Heritage Award recognizes organizations, committees, and collaborative teams that have made significant contributions to maintaining the historic character of our communities, whether through the preservation of a historic building, the creation of incentives that encourage preservation, the dedicated work of recording and documenting our history, or efforts that have left a meaningful mark on the story of Clark County. Recipients must be based in Clark County or connected to a project that has had a direct impact on our communities.

2025 – theARTScentered
2024 – NAACP of Vancouver, WA Branch 1139-B
2023 – The Historic Trust
2022 – North Clark Historical Museum
2021 – C-TRAN
2020 – Pomeroy Living History Farm
2019 – Parkersville National Historic Site Advisory Committee and Port of Camas-Washougal
2018 – Washington State University Vancouver Library and Archive
2013 – Kiggins Theatre renovation team – Dan Wyatt, Bill Leigh, Seanette Corkill, and Derek Chisholm
2012 – Parkersville National Historic Site Advisory Committee

Aerial view of city blocks, Downtown Vancouver, vintage photograph

fOSTER HIDDEN SERVICE AWARD

Some contributions to local history do not seek the spotlight. They arrive quietly, through years of steady dedication, behind the scenes advocacy, and a deep personal commitment to making sure the stories of this place are preserved and shared. The W. Foster Hidden Service Award recognizes an exceptional individual whose advocacy for Clark County history has made a meaningful difference, whether through a single significant project or a lifetime of gathering, saving, and sharing the history of our community.

2025 – Paul Christensen
2024 – Sam Edmundson
2023 – Tracy Reilly Kelly
2022 – Steve Becker
2021 – Juliet McGraw
2020 – Wager Audio
2019 – “Growing up in Vancouver, WA” administrators
2018 – Wayne Deaton
2017 Centennial Gala – Pat Jollota
2017 – Martin Middlewood
2016 – Howard Gingold

AWARD NOMINATON FORM

Clark County Historical Museum Awards Nomination Form

Thank you for taking the time to recognize someone whose dedication to Clark County history and historic preservation deserves to be celebrated. Please fill out this form with as much detail as possible so our Awards Committee can thoughtfully consider your nomination. Our staff will follow up with you if additional information is needed.

Your Information

Full Name (required)

Organization or Affiliation (if applicable)

Email Address (required)

Phone Number

Nominee Information

Nominee Full Name (required)

Nominee Organization or Affiliation (if applicable)

Nominee Email Address (if known)

Nominee Phone Number (if known)

Award Selection

Which award are you nominating this individual or group for? (required)

Nomination Details

Please describe the nominee's contributions to Clark County history or historic preservation. (required)

Are you nominating this individual or group for a specific project, or for the entirety of their service?

Specific projectEntirety of serviceBoth

If for a specific project, please describe it in detail.

How has this individual or group made a lasting impact on our community? (required)

How long have you known the nominee or been aware of their work?

Are there others in the community who could speak to the nominee's contributions? Please list their names and contact information if available.

Is there anything else you would like the Awards Committee to know about your nominee?

Please note: Nominations are reviewed by the CCHM Awards Committee and all decisions are final. Submitting a nomination does not guarantee selection. We appreciate your time in helping us recognize the remarkable people and groups who gather, save, and share the history of Clark County.