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 project of creating 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/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 Winners:
2013- Steve Thompson: For his assistance in preparing the National Register Nomonation for Camp Shiloh, which resulted in the original camp location being placed on the National Register; the first and only CCC camp location in Illinois to be placed on the Register.

2014- Dr. James Barkley and EIU Students in Recreation Admininstration: For their work in designing a recreation plan for the Camp Shiloh location.

2015- John McInerney: For his guidance and assistance in planning and executing the first and annual Frolic 5K race.

2016- Earl 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.

2017- Mary Lou Hubbard: For her generosity and expertise of family and consumer sciences to ensure the well-being of the site's volunteers.

2018- Bill and Mavis Lantz: For Bill's work to prepare each year for Harvest Frolic, taking his own vacation time to spend a week on site readying the grounds and facilities for our biggest event of the year. For Mavis's sharing of her expertise in accounting and installing our new accounting software system along with training of volunteers to use it.

2019- 5th Illinois Cavalry Volunteer Reenactors: The men and women of this group hosted  Civil War weekends at the site bringing the expertise they’ve learned in studying the drills, camps, skirmishes of a Civil War unit, offering a first-person experience of a Union soldier to our visitors. They also volunteered their time to help with repair projects, land clearance, and many other maintenance issues.

2020- Jacob Venatta: For sharing the artistry and craftsmanship of pottery with our summer campers.

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 to the site and can include but are not limited to: docent activities, interpretation, maintenance, gift shop, livestock, sewing, crafts, and foodways.

Past Winners:
2014- Ramona Tomshack, Emma Daum, and Vickie Nevious: For their contributions to the preservation and
exhibition of the historic tradition of quilting.

2015- Deborah Woodley: For her outstanding contributions in volunteer hours and handcrafts to revitalize
and improve the Goosenest Prairie Gift Shop.

2016- Cheryl Hawker: For her outstanding contributions in years of service, volunteer hours, and diversity of service.

2017- Frank Fraembs: For his outstanding volunteer contributions to the visitor experience.

2018- Elsie Carter: For her efforts to sell quilt raffle tickets at the front desk, donating her handcrafted items to the gift shop for sale, and for volunteering for all events.

2019- Hal Halbrook (posthumously) A lifetime achievement award was awarded for Hal's extraordinary number of years as a volunteer and for his extraordinary gifts at historcal interpretation.

2020-Jamey Cohoon: For his efforts at maintaing the site's historic structures and sharing the experience of a Union soldier through historic interpretation.