Sarah Oltrogge, (515) 281-4011

Des Moines, Iowa— When a group of volunteers from the Nevada Historical Society got together to begin compiling the accounts of 150 years of Nevada history, what started as a good idea quickly turned into a community effort. Thousands of hours in research, writing and editing later, the community effort produced Voices from the Past: The Story of Nevada, Iowa, and has earned the State Historical Society’s Loren Horton Community History Award.

In an awards ceremony today at the State Historical Building in Des Moines, Tom Richards, chair of the Nevada Historic Preservation Commission, accepted this top award.

Voices from the Past: The Story of Nevada, Iowa, describes years of challenge, change and accomplishment in a small Iowa town. This accurate and factual account of Nevada history weaves together the stories of its pioneering forefathers and mothers, the evolution of Nevada as a farming community, and the teachers, caregivers, organizations, churches and businesses that have shaped the town over the years. Some of the material for the book was taken from local newspapers and history books, with other information, stories and pictures submitted by community members.

“This book is an intriguing history that reflects small town Iowa life over 150 years,” said Patricia Ohlerking, bureau chief with the State Historical Society of Iowa. “This road map into Nevada’s past fills a void in the town’s historic record that will be valued for years to come.”

State Historical Society of Iowa Administrator Anita Walker and State Historical Society Board Chair Peggy Whitworth presented the award to Richards.

The Loren Horton Community History Award is presented in conjunction with National Historic Preservation Week, May 10-14. The award recognizes the best project that increases awareness and participation in Iowa history on a local level. Loren Horton was a longtime field historian with the State Historical Society of Iowa.

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