Naperville - The Naperville Heritage Society/Naper Settlement and their partners received several awards from the Illinois State Historical Society during a ceremony held April 26 at the Governor's Mansion in Springfield, Ill.

In the category of collection preservation, an Award of Superior Achievement was given for the collaborative effort of the Naperville Public Library and the Naperville Heritage Society/Naper Settlement for "Partners in Preserving Community History." The partnership included a book conservation project of historic publications from the early Nichols Library collection and a digitization project that resulted in the "Naperville Heritage Collection" becoming available online as part of the Illinois Digital Archives.

Naper Settlement's Marketing Communications Department received an Award of Superior Achievement in the category of special projects for the Weed Ladies Promotional Campaign, which publicized the activities of a volunteer group that sells floral arrangements to benefit education and preservation programs at Naper Settlement. The Marketing Department also received a Certificate of Excellence in the category of publications, non-book material for the 2007 edition of Treasures Magazine, a quarterly publication available to Naperville Heritage Society members and volunteers.

The Naperville Heritage Society/Naper Settlement Preservation Services Department received a Certificate of Merit in the category of public programming for the exhibit, "Vulcan's Art: Today's Blacksmith," which featured the work of local artist Goetz Schuppan.

Naperville Community Television/Channel 17 received an Award of Superior Achievement for "Two Brothers, One Beer and the American Dream," a documentary about Stenger Brewery, produced in cooperation with the Naperville Heritage Society/Naper Settlement.

"The recognition received from the Illinois State Historical Society is a great honor," said Debbie Grinnell, director of Preservation Services. "To be selected for these awards from the many projects and efforts of museums and cultural entities from throughout the state tells us the work we are doing to preserve, share and promote Naperville's history is first-rate and that our partnerships can serve as a model for other communities."