Newsome Award

The Federation sponsors the annual Albert Ray Newsome Awards.

Albert Ray Newsome served as secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission and as professor of history at UNC-Chapel Hill. He was a strong advocate for the study and preservation of local history.

The award named in his honor recognizes outstanding achievements in preserving local history by member organizations. The recipients receive a $250 cash prize and a framed certificate. Presentations are made at the annual joint meeting of the Federation and the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association held in November of each year.

View the Newsome Award Guidelines & Nomination Form

This Historic Port of Washington won the 2023 Newsome Award for their work restoring faded advertising signs to create murals showcasing local history in downtown Washington, called the Historic Ghost Sign & Mural Project.

two people look at a mural — Mayor Sadler and artist Samantha Brinson reveal the mural depicting the waterfront market c. 1920.