Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon
The Sonoma County Historical Society’s Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon brings members, guests, and community partners together each spring to celebrate local history and recognize outstanding contributions to its preservation. The event typically includes a luncheon, social time, the Society’s annual business meeting, election of board members, and the presentation of awards honoring accomplishments in historic preservation, research, writing, education, and cultural heritage initiatives.
Each year’s luncheon also features a keynote speaker or program highlighting a significant element of Sonoma County history. Recent presentations have included historical reenactments, book talks, and illustrated lectures by local historians and preservation advocates. The gathering regularly attracts attendees from museums, archives, libraries, genealogical groups, cultural organizations, and historical societies throughout the county.
The event is open to both members and non-members, and it offers one of the best opportunities of the year to meet others engaged in local historical work. Tickets and location details will be announced in advance on our website, in the Sonoma Historian, and our Facebook page.
2026 Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon
The 2026 annual meeting and awards luncheon was held on March 15, 2026 at the Iron and Vine Restaurant. Thank you to all who attended.
At the luncheon, SCHS presented four awards for excellence in history. Two Brainerd Jones Preservation Awards were given this year: to the Pacific Coast Air Museum for restoring the Second World War-era Butler Hangar and to the Glen Ellen Historical Society for preserving artifacts from the Sonoma Developmental Center. Jack Florence received the Gaye LeBaron Scholastic Award for his book, Dare to Dream, A Life Among the Vines. Lastly, the Jean Thurlow Miller Award was given to Dr. Alexis Boutin for her leadership in documenting and memorializing the Sonoma Developmental Center’s Home Cemetery.
The Sonoma County Historical Records Commission presented two awards for work done over the last year. Amy Kittelstrom, D’mitra Smith, and Lucia Jameau received the Award for Collaborative Partnerships for their work investigating records related to the history of slavery and other unpaid labor in Sonoma County. Kelly Richardson received the Award for Special Projects for her research on the Gualala Cemetery, identifying those buried in the cemetery and documenting their lives in Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
The meeting ended with a presentation by Denise Jaffke, president of SCHUNRS. She spoke about the society’s research and exploration of the doghole ports along the coast.
2025 Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon
