New York State Archives Announces 2016 Annual Archives Award Winners

In celebration of American Archives Month, the New York State Archives today announced the winners of the 2016 Annual Archives Awards. This annual awards program recognizes the outstanding archives and records management work of individuals and organizations in New York State. In addition, three awards were given to students for their use of historical records in research projects at a ceremony at the Cultural Education Center in Albany today.

"Historical records repositories across the state have a wealth of documents and information that help tell the history of New York,” said Regent Roger Tilles. “Teachers and students can bring history to life with these records. The Annual Archives Awards is an opportunity to acknowledge the exemplary work that organizations and individuals do every day to maintain and preserve historical records and celebrate the outstanding work students have done to incorporate historical records in their research. Congratulations to all the winners."

“The Board of Regents and I congratulate the winners of the 2016 Archives Awards,” said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. “By maintaining historical records we preserve our history for future generations. We urge the winners to continue their dedicated archives management work and encourage the student winners to continue using historical records in their research.”

“We’re proud to recognize excellence in the use and care of New York’s records by individuals and organizations across the state,” said State Archivist Thomas Ruller. “The State Archives celebrates the vital role archives perform, the dedication and commitment to excellence of institutions and individuals in the archives profession, and the researchers, educators and students who are analyzing and sharing the information contained in these valuable records.”

A complete list of this year’s award winners follows:

Cheryl Steinbach Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Local Government Records Management:
Town of Dover

William H. Kelly Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Local Government Archival Program Development:
City of Saratoga Springs

Annual Archives Award for Excellence in State Agency Records Management Program Development:
Statewide Financial System

Annual Archives Award for Program Excellence in a Historical Records Repository:
Archives of the Burchfield Penney Art Center

Debra E. Bernhardt Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Documenting New York’s History:
Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley

Excellence in the Educational Use of Local Government Records by a Local Government:
Town of Schodack

Bruce W. Dearstyne Educator Award for Excellence in the Use of Historical Records:
Karen Harris (Teacher - Retired) and Stacey Rattner (School Library Media Specialist), Castleton Elementary School, Schodack Central School District

Annual Archives Award for Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 9-12:   
Hailey Hansen, Tamarac Secondary School, Brunswick Central School District, Teacher: Michelle Furlong

Annual Archives Award for Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 6-8:
Grace Sayward, Stonebeck Academy, Schuyler Falls; Teacher: Melissa Sayward

Annual Archives Award for Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 4 & 5:
Matthew Fagerheim, Homer Intermediate School, Homer Central School District; Teacher: Tracy Durkee

American Archives Month is a collaborative effort by professional organizations and repositories around the nation to highlight the important role archives, archivists, and records managers perform. These organizations and professionals manage, preserve and make accessible to researchers records that contain information that preserve the rights of citizens; document the actions of people, governments and institutions; and provide a direct link to the voices, experiences, and opinions of people past and present.

The New York State Archives is a program of the State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education. Located on Madison Avenue in Albany, the Archives is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on legal holidays. Further information can be obtained by calling (518) 474-8955 or visiting the Archives’ website at http://www.archives.nysed.gov/.