Judge James R. Knott Historical Contribution Award
Recognizing Palm Beach County Achievements
Established in 1989, this prestigious annual award recognizes the achievements of an individual or organization that has contributed to the preservation, promotion, or enrichment of Palm Beach County history. This contribution should enrich Palm Beach County residents for generations to come.
The award honors and is named for the late Honorable Judge James R. Knott, who served as President of the Society from 1957 to 1969. Judge Knott is fondly remembered as a dedicated historian, and author of the “Brown Wrapper” newspaper series as well as three books on our area’s history. This award is presented at the Society’s Annual Meeting held in April each year. Deadline for nominations is March 1 of the year of the award.
Honorees
- 2023 - Augustus C. Mayhew III
- 2022 - Rick Rose and the Worth Avenue Association
- 2021 - Boynton Beach Historical Society
- 2019 - Charlene Farrington
- 2018 - Marion Cone
- 2017 - Rick Gonzalez, AIA
- 2016 - Robert W. Ganger
- 2015 - Palm Beach Centennial Committee
- 2014 - L. J. Parker
- 2013 - Ineria E. Hadley-Hudnell
- 2012 - Dr. Reginald Stambaugh
- 2011 - Robert Hudson Neff
- 2010 - Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum
- 2009 - Harvey Oyer III
- 2008 - Flagler System, Inc.
- 2007 - Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners
- 2006 - Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds
- 2005 - Flagler Museum
- 2004 - The Palm Beach Post
- 2003 - Judge Marvin Mounts
- 2002 - Donald J. Trump
- 2001 - Eliot Kleinberg
- 2000 - Richard J. Procyk
- 1999 - The Garden Club of Palm Beach
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1998 - American Methodist Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea
St. Edwards Catholic Church
Royal Poinciana Chapel
St. Paul’s AME Church
First Presbyterian Church - 1997 - Frances Bourque
- 1996 - Katharine Dickenson
- 1995 - James A. Ponce
- 1994 - Antonette Dennison, Ph.D.
- 1993 - Donald W. Curl, Ph.D.
- 1992 - Mary C. Linehan
- 1991 - Ambassador Earl E. T. Smith
- 1990 - Barbara Hoffstot
- 1989 - Bessie Wilson Dubois
Guidelines for Nominations
Who may nominate?
Anyone interested in the history of Palm Beach County may identify an appropriate individual or organization for the award. Nominators may not identify an organization of which they are an officer, member, or employee. Anonymous nominations are not accepted. Nominations must be submitted on forms provided by the Society. Please download an application here.
Who is eligible for nominations?
The goal of the Judge James R. Knott Historical Contribution Award is to recognize individuals or organizations for their contributions to the history of Palm Beach County, those who have worked to preserve, promote, or enrich our history for future generations. Individuals must live in Palm Beach County, and organizations must serve Palm Beach County.
How many nominees will be honored with the award?
Generally, the award goes annually to a single individual or organization. However, if circumstances warrant, more than one individual or organization may be honored in one year.
Confidentiality
Nominations for the Judge James R. Knott Historical Contribution Award will be made through a public process. Those making nominations, however, should not inform nominees that their names have been submitted for consideration. All nominations remain the confidential property of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County.
To submit a nomination, please download an application here and submit it directly to the Historical Society of Palm Beach County.
History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul.
