Mary Harris Prizes writing competition coming up

The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum announced it will host the annual Mary Harris Prizes nonfiction essay contest again this year.

Essays must be 1,000-3,000 words and relate to the Coshocton Frontier. Only nonfiction with proper citations will be accepted. The competition is open to people of any age who reside or work in Coshocton County including students whose permanent home is in Coshocton County.

The competition has $3,500 allotted for prize money: $1,000 for first place, $500 for second and five $200 prizes for honorable mention. A $1,000 award also will be granted at the judges' discretion. Essays can be submitted through Saturday, Nov. 1.

The judging is double-blind, meaning the judges will not know whose papers they are reading, and people will not know who the judges are. Because of this, entries must include the name of the entrant and contact information such as a phone number, email address or U.S. mail address in the email only. Do not put your name on the papers themselves.

Entries must be submitted to JHM by Saturday, Nov. 1 via email at jhmuseum@jhmuseum.org. A presentation by Dr. Scott Butler will not be held this year, but awards will be presented at a later date in November. Complete details about the competition and past winning essays are available at JHM and online at www.jhmuseum.org/mary-harris-prizes.

The Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum is located in Historic Roscoe Village at 300 N. Whitewoman St. in Coshocton. Museum hours are noon to 4 p.m. daily and Tuesday through Sunday beginning Tuesday, Sept. 2. All Sundays are free admission to Coshocton County residents.