Grand Canyon Historical Society

Pioneer Award

The Grand Canyon Historical Society presents the Pioneer Award to honor an individual who has made a significant contribution to the understanding of and knowledge about the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River.
A call for nominations for the Grand Canyon Historical Society Pioneer Award is made in January each year. The Historical Society accepts nominations for the Pioneer Award until March 15. The individual honored will have made a significant contribution to the understanding of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado in such areas as: Geology, Creation, River Running, Backcountry Hiking, Photography, History, Administration, etc., that is, any area that advances the knowledge of the Grand Canyon. To receive a nominating form, please write to the chairman of the Nominating Committee.

2009 Awardee
The Grand Canyon Historical Society's Pioneer Award for 2009 was presented on June 21, 2009, to Brad Dimock for:
  • his contributions to knowledge of Colorado River and Grand Canyon history through his original research, award-winning writing, and operation of Fretwater Press, a publishing house specializing in the characters and stories of the Colorado River system.
  • his efforts to preserve and find a permanent home for Grand Canyon’s historic boats.
  • his work as the editor of Grand Canyon River Guides’ Boatman’s Quarterly Review for 8 years, for which he wrote, researched and published many articles about Grand Canyon and its history.
  • his education and outreach work, conducting regular presentations and leading trips for organizations such as the Grand Canyon Association and Grand Canyon River Guides, providing participants with the ability to share the stories of Grand Canyon’s past in their own educational and recreational endeavors.
  • his original contributions to the Grand Canyon Historical Society’s History Symposiums.
  • his efforts to understand river travel in a more personal way; by recreating the boats and travels of early river navigators.
Pioneer Award Recipients

The recipients of the Pioneer Award are: