The Autry Public History Prize is awarded annually to media exhibits, public programs, or written works that contribute to a broader public reflection and appreciation of the past or serve as a model of professional public history practice in the history of the North American West. The award consists of a $1,000 prize and a certificate to the award recipient. The prize is made possible by the generous support of the Autry Museum of the American West. 

Please note that academic non-fiction books and journal articles are not eligible for this award. Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to, the following areas: 

• Media such as web pages, web-based video, audio, blogs, documentaries, and films
• Public Programs such as lecture series, walking tours, oral history projects, outreach activity, educational offerings, workshops, etc.
• Written Works such as research, reports, brochures, working papers, etc., or historical fiction (including books), that contribute to larger public history efforts to broaden public history understanding.
• Exhibits in museums, cultural centers, historic sites, and other public venues

To be eligible for the award in 2020, the project must have been completed in 2019. When submitting material to the award committee (see below) for consideration please follow the Autry Prize Submission Guidelines. 

-2020 Awards Cycle opens January 25, 2020

-2020 Award Submission (Postmark) Deadline: April 15, 2020

UPDATE: Due to the unexpected challenges of the global pandemic of the novel coronavirus, all WHA book and article deadlines are extended to May 15, 2020. Publishers unable to access physical copies or journals and books are allowed to submit electronic book copies to each award committee member.

The WHA office sends award notifications in August.  View past recipients.