Sister Alfreda Elsensohn Award
The Sister Alfreda Elsensohn Award for Outstanding Service was initiated in 2008. It has been a joint award given annually by the Idaho Humanities Council, and Idaho State Historical Society to recognize outstanding service by an Idaho museum, historical society, or interpretive organization/association.
The Award is named for Sister Alfreda Elsensohn, who founded the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude in Cottonwood. Sister Alfreda, one of Idaho’s outstanding historians, sought to collect, preserve, and interpret artifacts from Idaho County and the surrounding area to better educate the public. A museum is a bridge which links the present with the past, she often said. It is her vision of Idaho museums as exciting, interactive, and educational institutions that the Award seeks to recognize by honoring one outstanding Idaho museum, historical society, or interpretive organization/association.
While only one Award will be given annually, it is the goal of the sponsors to have a fairly even distribution of the award in the various geographical regions of the state. There is no application form to complete; the sponsors select an awardee each year.
The following criteria will be considered by the sponsors each year in determining the awardee for that year. Additional criteria may also be considered:
- Will have a record of outstanding professional programming.
- Will be leaders in the field of Idaho museums, historical societies, or interpretive organizations/associations.
- Will have a record of sharing their resources and information with community and statewide partners, thereby assisting in the development of professional level historical interpretation, displays, and preservation of Idaho’s History.
- Will demonstrate success in collaborative community work.
- Will be able to use the funding to move to a higher level of professionalism and have experience in administering and implementing grant-funded projects and programs.
Contact
(208) 334-2682
Sister Alfreda Award Highlight
Nampa | Canyon County
Warhawk Air Museum
The Idaho State Historical Society and the Idaho Humanities Council proudly recognize the Warhawk Air Museum as the 2025 recipient of the Sister Alfreda Elsensohn Award for Outstanding Service, honoring its leadership in preserving Idaho’s history and educating future generations.
Honoring Veterans, Preserving History
The Warhawk Air Museum was founded by John and Sue Paul, whose shared passion for aviation and history began with the restoration of WWII-era aircraft. What started in a small hangar at the Caldwell Airport has grown into a nationally recognized institution in Nampa, Idaho, dedicated to preserving and sharing the personal stories of America’s veterans.
For more than three decades, the museum has expanded its focus from World War I and II to include the Korean War, Vietnam War, Cold War, Persian Gulf War, and Iraq War. Each artifact, letter, and uniform reflects the courage and commitment of those who have served.
The Museum Today
The Warhawk Air Museum continues its mission through a wide range of collections and programs, including:
- Historic military aircraft and artifacts representing conflicts from World War I to the present.
- Personal exhibits featuring uniforms, flight gear, journals, and letters.
- Displays honoring women in war and Idaho veterans.
- The Veterans History Project, with more than 1,500 recorded oral histories.
- Educational programs for schools, families, and homeschool groups.
- Kilroy Coffee Klatch, a free monthly gathering for veterans.
Through its collections, exhibits, and community engagement, the Warhawk Air Museum continues to honor those who served and ensure their stories endure for generations to come.
Warhawk Air Museum | US Military History | Nampa, Idaho
Warhawk Air Museum
201 Municipal Drive, Nampa, ID 83687
208.465.6466