The Malstrom Awards application information for 2024 Projects to be awarded in 2025 will be available soon.
The nominees:
Digitization Project, by Stillaguamish Valley Museum – a project to scan and digitize 666 images, including glass negatives taken by John E. Asplund. This project, in keeping with SVM’s mission, has helped better serve the public and preserve the history of the Stillaguamish Valley, the City of Arlington, and Snohomish County.
Project Award *****Seattle-Everett Interurban Trolley, by Lynnwood-Alderwood Manor Heritage Association and the City of Lynnwood History and Heritage Board – an online video series depicting the history of the Interurban Trolley between 1910 and 1939.
Publications Award *****Mill Town Baseball, by Steve Bertrand – a publication on Everett’s unique baseball history from its “stump” days to the present, compiled from stories of players, coaches, and teams that played on the various ballfields throughout Everett.
Project Award ******“Timber!”, by Stillaguamish Valley Museum – an online video documentary depicting the progression of the logging industry in Arlington from 1850 to 1920. “Timber” was premiered at the Pioneer Hall in July, 2023 to help celebrate their 100-Year Anniversary.
Special Project Award*****Weyerhaeuser Building Restoration & Museum, by the Port of Everett and NGMA Group – a project to restore and reopen Everett’s historic Weyerhaeuser Building as a community gathering space and showpiece of the iconic 100-year-old structure’s rich history.
“Pioneer Day”, by Stilly Valley Museum – a project inviting the community free of charge to enjoy hands-on activities. Held in conjunction with Pioneer Hall’s 100-year anniversary.
About Helmer Malstrom:
The League of Snohomish County Heritage Organizations (LOSCHO) began in 1983 as the idea of Brent Lambert, Snohomish County Heritage Planner. In an effort to encourage and honor heritage projects in Snohomish County, an annual awards program began, named after County volunteer and local history writer Helmer Malstrom who passed away in 1983.
For 25 years the Malstrom Award was presented at LOSCHO’s annual meeting and luncheon held in Snohomish. From 2012 – 2014 the awards presentation was part of the Heritage Day events held in Stanwood at the Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center, then split between Stanwood and Snohomish the following years. In 2018 LOSCHO was invited to use the new Marysville Museum by the Marysville Historical Society for the Malstrom Award luncheon. In 2019 it was held at Legion Hall in Granite Falls. Then in 2020 we had to cancel the event just two weeks prior because of COVID. We “caught up” after the COVID years in 2023 by combining some of the years. This year, 2024, we are back on track by recognizing those projects and publications that were completed in 2023.
Recognition by the Malstrom Award include historical publications, the preservation or rebuilding of historic structures and sites, the creation of new museums, various special exhibits and digital projects. There is no monetary award. Beginning with 2014, the award was separated into two categories: one for publications (books, calendars, etc) and one for projects (exhibits, historic preservation projects, events, etc.).
Special Thanks to our Judge – Lisa Hill Festa – long time but now retired Museum Curator for Nordic Heritage Museum and trainer of many of our members in the early days of our museums.
