Daily Reporter staff reports
INDIANAPOLIS —Joe Skvarenina was named winner of the 2015 Hubert Hawkins History Award from the Indiana Historical Society.
Skvarenina, of Greenfield, will receive the award during the society’s annual Founders Day event Dec. 7 at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center in downtown Indianapolis.
The annual Founders Day Dinner celebrates the accomplishments of historians, teachers, writers and businesses from around the state, as well as the work of IHS. The Hubert Hawkins History Award is given to a local historian for distinguished service during his or her career in local history.
Skvarenina has taken an active role in Hancock County history for nearly 30 years. He has been the county historian since 1992. He serves on the boards of the Hancock County Historical Society, Indiana National Road Association, Shirley Historical Society and Riley Old Home Society. You can also find him holding a monthly “Ask a History Expert” session at the public library.
He is described as an avid writer, who wrote several books and contributes a weekly history column for the Daily Reporter.
One person describes Skvarenina as the gatekeeper of Hancock County history, and one longtime friend said Skvarenina’s actions have increased awareness to historical issues, which in turn led to community involvement and enriched lives.
