Beselme-Orrell Mining Heritage Award of the Mining History Association

2015-2016 Projects Nomination.

The Beselme-Orrell Mining Heritage Award for projects completed during 2015-2016 recognizes outstanding achievements which have demonstrably contributed to the understanding and appreciation of our mining heritage. The award will be presented at the June 2017 MHA conference in Fairbanks, Alaska. Recipient of award need not be present.

Project eligibility includes, but is not limited to, document and image preservation, oral histories, museum displays/exhibits, the preservation and interpretation of mining architecture, mining landscapes, and engineering works, documentary film/video projects, and the development and use of well-grounded educational materials and/or curriculum units incorporating important mining heritage themes. Nominees are generally non-profit organizations, such as museums, historical societies, or historic preservation organizations. The award is named for two MHA members that represent the grass roots nature of all such heritage projects, which both late MHA members Jim Beselme and Lew Orrell undertook.

Nominations are accepted from current MHA members only, but are awarded to entities outside the organization. Nominations are due by February 1, 2017 to the committee chair, Robert L. Spude.

Please submit a nomination that includes the following.

1)  Name of Project:

2)  Name of the Nominee:

3)  Brief, One Page Description of the Project (plus brief attachments about the project, such as news coverage, flyers, public information, and/or photographs):

4)  Project’s Completion Date (must be between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014)

5)  Name of Member submitting the nomination.

For questions, contact committee members: Robert L. Spude, National Park Service, Santa Fe, retired, chair, ; Ginny L. Kilander, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming, Laramie, ; Stephanie Saager-Bourret, Platteville Mining Museum, Platteville, Wisconsin, ;

Submit hard copy nominations in triplicate to Robert L. Spude, 7 Avenida Vista Grande, #145, Santa Fe, NM 87508 or, electronic versions, one copy by e:mail to