Each year the Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation presents two awards recognizing exceptional service to Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site. Nominations may be submitted to any Foundation board member.
Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation
Thomas and Sarah Lincoln
Annual Awards
Kingsbury Service Award
For exceptional volunteer service to Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site. Recognizing service provided in the spirit of the Civilian Conservation Corps who built the site, and exemplifying the leadership provided by Theodore Kingsbury, the National Park Service Superintendent who oversaw the creation of Lincoln Log Cabin State Park in 1935–1937.
Recipients are those who volunteer to share their professional expertise and personal experience to advance the Foundation's mission and support the site. The contribution of the recipient can be for a one-time event or project, or ongoing. Recipients are selected on the basis of the level of expertise offered and how their contribution resulted in a successful outcome — not the amount of time devoted.
Past Recipients
- 2013Steve Thompson — For his assistance in preparing the National Register Nomination for Camp Shiloh, resulting in the original camp location becoming the first and only CCC camp location in Illinois placed on the National Register.
- 2014Dr. James Barkley & EIU Students in Recreation Administration — For their work in designing a recreation plan for the Camp Shiloh location.
- 2015John McInerney — For his guidance and assistance in planning and executing the first annual Frolic 5K race.
- 2016Earl and Elizabeth Halbe — For their work in the writing and production of several plays performed at the site, including Earl's play written in commemoration of the Charleston Riot, A Question of Loyalty.
- 2017Mary Lou Hubbard — For her generosity and expertise in family and consumer sciences to ensure the well-being of the site's volunteers.
- 2018Bill and Mavis Lantz — For Bill's work preparing each year for Harvest Frolic, taking his own vacation time to spend a week on site readying the grounds and facilities. For Mavis's expertise in accounting and the installation and training of the new accounting software system.
- 20195th Illinois Cavalry Volunteer Reenactors — For hosting Civil War weekends at the site, offering visitors a first-person experience of a Union soldier, and volunteering time for repair projects, land clearance, and maintenance.
- 2020Jacob Venatta — For sharing the artistry and craftsmanship of pottery with our summer campers.
- 2025Eastern Illinois University's Physics and Astronomy Department — Steven Daniels, Chair, and Robert Strasbaugh, Observatory Director, for their expertise in preparing the site's volunteers to host a viewing of the 2024 Solar Eclipse.
Thomas and Sarah Lincoln
Volunteer of the Year Award
For outstanding volunteer efforts to sustain Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site and enhance the visitor experience.
Recipients are those who contribute volunteer hours with no personal financial gain. Volunteer hours are spent where there is a direct impact on the visitor experience, and can include but are not limited to: docent activities, interpretation, maintenance, gift shop, livestock, sewing, crafts, and foodways.
Past Recipients
- 2014Ramona Tomshack, Emma Daum, and Vickie Nevious — For their contributions to the preservation and exhibition of the historic tradition of quilting.
- 2015Deborah Woodley — For her outstanding contributions in volunteer hours and handcrafts to revitalize and improve the Goosenest Prairie Gift Shop.
- 2016Cheryl Hawker — For her outstanding contributions in years of service, volunteer hours, and diversity of service.
- 2017Frank Fraembs — For his outstanding volunteer contributions to the visitor experience.
- 2018Elsie Carter — For her efforts selling quilt raffle tickets, donating handcrafted items to the gift shop, and volunteering at all events.
- 2019Hal Halbrook (posthumously) — A lifetime achievement award for Hal's extraordinary years as a volunteer and his exceptional gifts at historical interpretation.
- 2020Jamey Cohoon — For his efforts maintaining the site's historic structures and sharing the experience of a Union soldier through historic interpretation.
- 2025Ron Batterham, Ed Dowling, and Glenn Olsen — For their readiness and commitment to staffing the Visitor Center front desk post-pandemic.
Submit a Nomination
Nominations for both awards may be submitted to any Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation board member. Contact the Foundation at LSFF@lincolnlogcabin.org or 217.345.1845 for more information.
Nominations for both awards may be submitted to any Lincoln Log Cabin Foundation board member. Contact the Foundation at LSFF@lincolnlogcabin.org or 217.345.1845 for more information.
