Tuscarawas County Historical Society seeking nominations for Zeisberger Heckewelder Award

The Tuscarawas County Historical Society is accepting nominations for its annual Zeisberger Heckewelder Award.

The award is presented each year to up to four individuals and one organization that exemplify outstanding service to Tuscarawas County residents or have enhanced understanding of the county’s history. Nominees should have made outstanding contributions to quality of life or the preservation of history, performed services benefiting the county’s economic, social, moral or cultural life, or brought merit to Tuscarawas County. Current public officeholders are not eligible.

The historical society first presented the award in 1981. The medal was founded by artist Johann Zabka, who described it as the “Pulitzer Prize” of Tuscarawas County. The award is named for Moravian missionaries David Zeisberger and John Heckewelder.

Winners for 2026 will be announced in April, and awards will be presented at the historical society’s annual Founders Day Banquet in May.

Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 1. Nominations must be submitted in writing and include the nominee’s name, address and phone number; an explanation of why the nominee should be considered; a list of leadership roles the nominee has held in Tuscarawas County; and any supporting documents such as newspaper articles or letters of support.

Nominations may be mailed to Tuscarawas County Historical Society, P.O. Box 462, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, or dropped off at the Tusc Kent Archives in Founders Hall on the campus of Kent State University Tuscarawas during office hours, 8 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

For more information, contact the society at 330-308-7494 or tuschs@tuschs.org. A list of previous winners is available at www.tuschs.org.