Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch To Be Honored With National Archives Foundation Highest Award

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Washington DC – On December 4, 2023, the National Archives Foundation will honor American educator and historian Lonnie G. Bunch III with the prestigious Records of Achievement Award. Bunch, now Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, is being recognized for his commitment to preserving and chronicling our history, and for his dedication to amplifying the history and the stories of African Americans. The evening event will be held at the National Archives in Washington, DC with Mr. Bunch, who will be interviewed by renowned author, journalist, and radio host Michele Norris.

“We are thrilled to honor Lonnie Bunch at our Gala this December,” said National Archives Foundation Board Chair and President Governor Blanchard. “Lonnie is a renowned historian, author, curator, and educator who has made it his life’s work to transform and connect the American story in profound and diverse ways to the citizens of our country.”

Named one of the 100 most influential museum professionals of the 20th century by the American Association of Museums in 2005, Lonnie Bunch has had a significant impact on the relationship between modern society and our past.

“Through his tireless work in the museum world, Lonnie Bunch has made invaluable contributions to a fuller understanding of the history and heritage of the United States,” said Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan. “I look forward to celebrating with him at this special event with the National Archives Foundation.”

In addition to decades of museum leadership, Bunch is the author of “A Fool’s Errand: Creating the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the Age of Bush, Obama, and Trump” and has published many articles. He has also been the recipient of several high honors, including:

-Legion of Honor Awarded by the Republic of France
-Dan David Prize from Tel Aviv University
-Member, American Academy of Arts & Sciences
-Freedom Medal from the Roosevelt Institute
-W.E.B. Du Bois Medal from the Hutchins Center at Harvard University
-Tony Horwitz Prize honoring distinguished work in American history of wide appeal and enduring public significance
-David McCullough Award for outstanding work in Public History

Bunch was also appointed by President George W. Bush to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House in 2002 and reappointed by President Barack Obama in 2010.

The Records of Achievement Award is the National Archives Foundation’s highest honor bestowed on an individual whose contributions have fostered a broader national awareness of the history and heritage of the United States as exemplified in the National Archives’ records. Through their work, recipients educate, enrich, and inspire a deeper appreciation of our country, its ideals and its aspirations.

Previous recipients of the Foundation’s award include: Michael Beschloss, Jon Meacham, First Lady Laura Bush, the late Cokie Roberts, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Ken Burns, David M. Rubenstein, the late John Hope Franklin, David McCullough, Tom Brokaw, Annette Gordon-Reed, Brian Lamb and C-SPAN, James McPherson, Robert Edsel, Taylor Branch, and the stars and creators of the Broadway musical “Hamilton” – Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, and Ron Chernow.

The 2023 Records of Achievement Award Ceremony and Gala was made possible in part by Anonymous, Bank of America, Governor Jim and Janet Blanchard, Brown Advisory, Anne S. Chao, The Daschle Group, DLA Piper LLP (US), Ambassador Fay Hartog-Levin (Ret.), Marilynn and John Hill, Cameron F. Kerry, Jacqueline B. Mars, Karen Pritzker, David M. Rubenstein, Lucinda Robb, The Salemme/Welch Family, The Honorable Rodney E. Slater, Verizon, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.

About the National Archives Foundation
The National Archives Foundation is an independent nonprofit foundation that increases public awareness of the National Archives, inspires a deeper appreciation of our country’s heritage, and encourages citizen engagement in our democracy. The Foundation generates financial and creative support for National Archives exhibitions, public programs and educational initiatives, introducing America’s records to people around the U.S. and the world. Learn more at www.archivesfoundation.org.

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