North American Society for Oceanic History facts for kids

The North American Society for Oceanic History (NASOH) is a group in the United States that brings together experts who study the history of the seas, lakes, and rivers. This includes historians, people who explore shipwrecks underwater (called underwater archaeologists), and those who manage old documents (archivists) or museum collections. NASOH is connected to the American Historical Association, which is a big organization for historians.

NASOH was started in 1973. Its main goal is to help people learn more about maritime history. Maritime history is all about how people have interacted with the ocean and other waterways over time. This includes ships, sailing, naval battles, trade by sea, and the lives of sailors. NASOH helps its members share information and learn from each other. They also work to make sure more people understand and appreciate North America's history with the sea. NASOH also includes the U.S. Commission on Maritime History, which is part of a larger international group.

Annual Meetings and Research

Every year, NASOH holds a special meeting called an academic conference. At these conferences, members share their latest research about maritime history. These meetings happen in different places each year, often in cities or towns with a strong connection to the sea. This helps members connect what they learn globally to local maritime activities. Past meetings have been held all over the United States, as well as in Canada and Bermuda.

Awards for Maritime History

NASOH gives out several important awards to recognize great work in maritime history.

Honoring Service to NASOH

The K. Jack Bauer Award is given by the NASOH president. It honors people who have done a lot for NASOH and have made big contributions to maritime history throughout their lives.

Recognizing Best Articles

The Charles Dana Gibson Award is given for the best article about North American maritime history. This article must have been published in a special journal where other experts review the work before it's printed.

Celebrating Great Books

Each year, a group of NASOH members reviews many books published about maritime history. They choose the winners for the John Lyman Book Awards. These awards are given in six different areas:

• Canadian naval and maritime history
• U.S. naval history
• U.S. maritime history
• Science and technology related to the sea
• Reference books and original historical documents
• Biographies (life stories) and autobiographies (life stories written by the person themselves)

Supporting Students

NASOH also offers awards to students who are studying maritime history:

• Chad Smith Student Travel Grants: These grants help students pay for their travel to the annual meeting so they can present their research papers. The award is named after Philip Chadwick Foster Smith, who was a museum curator and historian.
• Clark G. Reynolds Student Paper Award: This award is given to the graduate student who writes the best paper presented at the annual conference. It's named after Clark G. Reynolds, a naval historian and museum curator. The winner might get help publishing their paper in The Northern Mariner journal, a membership to NASOH, and a special plaque.
• James C. Bradford Dissertation Research Fellowship: This fellowship helps students who are writing their Ph.D. dissertations (a long research paper) on American naval history. It's named after Dr. James C. Bradford, a former NASOH president. Students applying for this award must have finished all their other Ph.D. requirements and have their dissertation idea approved.

Leaders of NASOH

Here are the people who have served as president of NASOH:

1. William A. Baker (January 1, 1976 – December 31, 1980)
2. Timothy J. Runyan (January 1, 1981 – December 31, 1985)
3. Dean C. Allard (January 1, 1986 – December 31, 1989)
4. Barry M. Gough (January 1, 1990 – December 31, 1991)
5. William N. Still, Jr. (January 1, 1992 – December 31, 1995)
6. Briton C. Busch (January 1, 1996 – December 31, 1999)
7. William S. Dudley (January 1, 2000 – December 31, 2003)
8. John Hattendorf (January 1, 2004 – December 31, 2007)
9. James C. Bradford (January 1, 2008 – May 2011)
10. Warren Riess (May 2011 – May 2015)
11. Gene A. Smith (May 2015 – May 2019)
12. Amy Mitchell-Cook (May 2019 – May 2023)
13. Paul E. Fontenoy (May 2023 – present)

See also

• List of history awards