The MotorCities National Heritage Area Awards of Excellence recognize organizations and individuals who have delivered oustanding projects in the areas of auto or labor heritage tourism, education/interpretation and revitalization.
- The nomination must be for an outstanding person, event or project in one of three areas of education, tourism or revitalization. The project must have taken place within the boundaries of the MotorCities National Heritage Area in Michigan. If nominating an individual, they must be connected to a project in the heritage area.
- Nominations must be submitted using the forms and format provided. Please submit the materials electronically. No paper submissions will be accepted.
- Nominations will be judged on quality, not volume. Tell the story of your project! Do not assume that jurors are already familiar with your nominee.
- You are asked for the address of the nominee/project. This is to confirm that the project is within the MotorCities Heritage Area. The address will also advise on your current state senator and representative, so that they can be invited to the ceremony to recognize the nominee.
- Include at least one photograph depicting the place or person you are nominating, If your nomination is a revitalization project, include both “before and after” photos. There is an option for one additional support item. If you would like to submit multiple items, they should be combined into one PDF file (max 10MB).
- Self-nominations are acceptable.
- If selected, the nominee must be available to receive the award as part of an awards presentation on June 4 at the Stellantis Conner Center at 11:30 AM. A finalist + guest will receive complimentary tickets. Others will be able to purchase a ticket to attend.
- Nominations are open to ALL projects spanning the last 3 years.
- Deadline for nominations is 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025.
April 1 Nominations Open
May 9 Nominations Close
May 21 Finalists Announced
June 4 Awards Ceremony
Our 2023 Awards of Excellence Recepients:
In the Heritage Tourism category,:
- Lloyd & Judy Ganton, the operators of Ye Ole Carriage Shop in Spring Arbor
In the Interpretation/Education category:
- The Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn for their Achievement series of exhibits about African Americans in the automotive industry.
In the Revitalization category:
- The Ford Piquette Plant Museum in Detroit for their first floor restoration;
Also, the recipient of MotorCities Milestone Award, was William R. "Bill" Chapin (pictured). Some Michigan natives can say that the auto industry is in their blood, but for Bill Chapin there is no denying the lineage from his Grandfather Roy Chapin Sr. (a co-founder of the Hudson Motor Co.), his father Roy Chapin Jr. (past CEO of American Motors) to forgin g his own legacy, mostly in automotive marketing. Bill was just finishing up work on the launch of the "Motor City" exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum in the mid-1990s when he realized that the stories told there were relevant to today. Namely, the stories of industry leaders and rank and file workers were all there to inspire generations to come. Around the same time, he became aware of the efforts to create a National Heritage Area centered on the automotive and labor history of the region. Chapin was there when the bill was signed by President Clinton in 1998. He signed the articles of incorporation, served as board chair and continues as a member of MotorCities' Leadership Council. Finally, between 2010 and 2017, Chapin served as President of the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn.