NASHVILLE, TN—June 16, 2025—The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) proudly announces the Lincoln Presidential Foundation as the recipient of an Award of Excellence for “Fortifying Our Democracy: Lincoln’s Lyceum Address.” The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 80th year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.
“Fortifying Our Democracy: Lincoln’s Lyceum Address” explores the alarming events that motivated Lincoln to deliver his address to the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield in 1838. The speech is considered by many scholars to be a timeless argument for the importance of civic education and the dangers of taking our political institutions for granted. The three-part series, with a combined runtime of 23 minutes, blends expert interviews, historical reenactments, and primary sources. In addition to the AASLH award, the series has garnered four national awards for excellence in history, education, and visual arts. The series is available for free to the public online: bit.ly/FortifyingDemocracy.
The original series has been broadcast on C-SPAN’s American History TV to its over 50 million subscribers, and featured in conferences, symposia, classrooms, and film festivals nationwide. “Fortifying Our Democracy” is the second original historical documentary produced by the Lincoln Presidential Foundation. Its first series, “Warning Signs: Lincoln’s Response to Rising Tensions in the 1850s,” won a combined four awards, including an Emmy MidAmerica.
This year, AASLH confers 54 national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits, and publications. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history.
The AASLH 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 the United States. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards not only honor
significant achievement in the field of state and local history, but also bring public recognition of the opportunities for small and large organizations, institutions, and programs to make contributions in this arena. For more information about the Leadership in History Awards, contact AASLH at 615-320-3203 or go to www.aaslh.org.
About Lincoln Presidential Foundation: Established in 2000, the Lincoln Presidential Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity headquartered in Illinois. It is the only national foundation focused on increasing access to history, educational programs, exhibits, and sites highlighting the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. The Foundation does its work in cooperation and partnership with others locally, nationally, and globally. Its vision is a world where freedom and democracy flourish, inspired by the life and work of Abraham Lincoln.
About the American Association for State and Local History: 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 provides leadership, service, and support for its members who preserve and interpret state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful to all people. AASLH publishes books, technical publications, a quarterly magazine, and maintains numerous affinity communities and committees serving a broad range of constituents across the historical community. The association also sponsors an annual meeting, regional and national training in-person workshops, and online training.
Contacts:
Grace DuFour
Grace@reputationpartners.com
301-337-0708
Aja Bain, AASLH
Director of Professional Development and Publications
abain@aaslh.org
615-320-3203