State Contest Special Prizes

History Day medals

NATIONAL HISTORY DAY IN INDIANA SPECIAL PRIZES

In 2025, educators whose students win any of the special prizes below will be awarded a $50 prize. The application for Special Prizes will be available in 2025 prior to the State Contest.

Prizes will be announced to Indiana students and educators at the NHDI State Contest. Participants do not have to place in first, second or third to receive a special prize.

Don’t forget to check out our topic suggestions for each prize, found in the Topic Guide. This is not an exhaustive list; feel free to explore more!

$100 CASH PRIZE

Geeslin Hoosier President Prize
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project on America’s Hoosier President, Benjamin Harrison.
Sponsored in honor of retired president and CEO of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, Phyllis Geeslin, by her friends and admirers

$250 CASH PRIZE

Bill Curran Memorial Prize for Irish Heritage
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project that features Indiana’s Irish-American heritage.
Sponsored by Patti Curran

Gene Stratton Porter Prize
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project on Indiana environmentalist and author Gene Stratton Porter.
Sponsored by Janet McCabe and Jon Laramore in memory of Evelyn McCabe

Halter Prize for German Heritage
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project that features Indiana’s German-American heritage.
Sponsored by Andrew Halter and Joshua Rogers

Indiana Local History Prize – Youth and Junior Division
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project focused on local Indiana history.
Sponsored by the Indiana Historical Society

Indiana Local History Prize – Senior Division
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project focused on local Indiana history.
Sponsored by the Indiana Historical Society 

Indiana Pioneers Prize for Early Indiana (pre-1840)
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project related to pre-1840, pioneer-era Indiana.
Sponsored by The Society of Indiana Pioneers

Indiana State Library Prize
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project that utilizes a collection of the Indiana State Library.
Sponsored by Indiana State Library Foundation

Indiana Women in Politics Prize
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project on a female politician or politicians in Indiana.
Sponsored by Kathleen Clark in honor of former Congresswoman Susan Brooks

International History in Indiana Prize
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project on an international history topic that has an Indiana connection.
Sponsored by an anonymous donor  

Madam C.J. Walker Prize
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project about Madam C.J. Walker’s time in Indiana.
Sponsored by Andrew Halter and Joshua Rogers in honor of Indiana Living Legend A’Lelia Bundles

Patti Curran Prize for Fashion Design in Indiana
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project featuring an Indiana fashion designer(s)
Sponsored by Patti Curran

Rogers Prize for French Heritage
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project that features Indiana’s French-American heritage.
Sponsored by Andrew Halter and Joshua Rogers

Roy F. Stringer Memorial Prize for Labor Unions in Indiana
Awarded to student or group with an outstanding project that explores the history of Labor Unions in Indiana.
Sponsored by Andrew Halter and Joshua Rogers

$500 CASH PRIZE

Ayres Prize for Commerce in Indiana
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project related to the history of commerce in Indiana.
Sponsored by Nancy Ayres

Ayres Prize for Indiana Architecture
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project related to the history of Indiana architecture.
Sponsored by Nancy Ayres

Ayres Prize for Indiana Transportation
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project related to the history of transportation in Indiana.
Sponsored by Nancy Ayres

The Cole Porter Prize for Indiana Musical Heritage
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project on the life and legacy of Cole Porter.
Sponsored by Steve and Mag Russell

William Henry Smith Memorial Library Prize
Awarded to a student or group with an outstanding project that utilizes the collection of the William Henry Smith Memorial Library.
Sponsored by Matthew and Suzanne Hahn