The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) proudly announces the winners of the 70th annual Leadership in History Awards, the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. This year, AASLH is proud to confer sixty national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits, books, and organizations.

"The Leadership in History Awards is AASLH's highest distinction and the winners represent the best in the field," said Trina Nelson Thomas, AASLH Awards Chair and Director, Stark Art & History Venue, Stark Foundation. "This year, we are pleased to distinguish each recipient's commitment and innovation to the interpretation of history, as well as their leadership for the future of state and local history."

The Leadership in History Award of Merit was conferred to the Chisholm Trail Museum, located in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, for their recent temporary exhibit entitled: TG&Y: An Original Oklahoma Icon. Bringing in countless numbers, the exhibit reunited many former TG & Y employees. For visitors who had not formerly worked there, the exhibit brought back memories of a time when stores were more hands on and personal. Additionally, new generations of young people were introduced to and proudly embraced the history of a store strongly rooted in Oklahoma's history.

The Leadership in History Awards Program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout America. Each nomination is peer-reviewed by AASLH's state captains. Final awards are decided by the Awards Committee, comprised of AASLH's fourteen regional representatives and the National Awards Chair.

The awards include: The Award of Merit, the Chisholm Trail Museum in Kingfisher, Oklahoma being among the nationally honored museums this year, which is presented for excellence in history programs, projects, and people when compared with similar activities nationwide.

Presentation of the awards will be made at a special banquet during the 2015 AASLH Annual Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday, September 18. The banquet is supported by a generous contribution from the History Channel.

A full listing of recipients can be found at: www.about.aaslh.org/awards.

About the American Association for State and Local History:
AASLH has provided leadership and support for its members who preserve and interpret state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful to all Americans since 1940. AASLH is a not-for-profit professional organization of individuals and institutions working to preserve and promote history. From its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, AASLH works to advance knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of local history in America. AASLH publishes books, technical publications, a quarterly magazine, a monthly newsletter, and maintains numerous affinity groups and committees serving a broad range of constituents across the historical community. The association also sponsors regional and national training workshops and an annual meeting. For more information, visit www.aaslh.org.

The Oklahoma History Center is proud to announce that it will host the highly anticipated 35th annual Storytelling Festival August 27-29 in collaboration with Arts Council Oklahoma City. The festival will feature Charlotte Blake Alston, Megan Wells and Jim May, three internationally acclaimed storytellers, with three evening performances, one family matinee and a number of workshops. The festival will begin Thursday, August 27, at 7 p.m. in the Devon Great Hall with the last teller performing on Saturday, August 29, at 8 p.m.

Charlotte Blake Alston has performed internationally in a wide range of venues, from the Kennedy Center to prisons. She focuses her craft on traditional and contemporary stories from African and African American oral and cultural traditions. She often includes music played on instruments from the African culture.

Megan Wells is an award-winning actress and director who brings her theatrical background to her particular approach to storytelling. Her most well-known offering is an adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula in addition to her versions of fairytales, historical tales and personal narratives.

Jim May, an Emmy award-winning storyteller, comes to the festival with more than 25 years of experience "spinning a yarn," performing both nationally and internationally. His expertise is recounting personal stories as well as "ghost stories."

Tickets and workshop passes may be purchased at www.artscouncilokc.com, by calling 405-270-4848, or at the door. Workshop passes for Friday and Saturday are $50 and single workshop passes are $10. There is no charge for the Saturday morning family matinee. The festival fulfills Arts Council Oklahoma City's mission to bring the arts and the community together. For more information about the tellers and their performances, please visit www.artscouncilokc.com.

The Oklahoma History Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, National Archives and an accredited member of the American Association of Museums. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains 31 museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS please visit www.okhistory.org.