Richard Barnes, Neil Rolde, Lois Lamdin, and Robert Woodbury (all are current MHC Board members but for Neil, a past Board member).
Richard Barnes, Neil Rolde, Lois Lamdin, and Robert Woodbury (all are current MHC Board members but for Neil, a past Board member).
With a straight face, Lincoln Ladd tells the audience members that they must memorize Neil Rolde’s book titles, board activities, and other accomplishments or be subject to a philanthropic request to a non-profit of Neil’s choice.
With a straight face, Lincoln Ladd tells the audience members that they must memorize Neil Rolde’s book titles, board activities, and other accomplishments or be subject to a philanthropic request to a non-profit of Neil’s choice.
Photos: Erik Jorgensen

The 2005 Constance H. Carlson Public Humanities Prize

On September 22, the Maine Humanities Council awarded the Constance H. Carlson Public Humanities Prize to historian Neil Rolde of York for his extraordinary contributions to the interpretation of Maine history and his encouragement and support of the humanities in Maine. Given in memory of Constance H. Carlson, a founder of the Maine Humanities Council, the award is presented to an individual, institution or group in recognition of exemplary contributions to the public humanities in Maine. Past recipients of the Constance H. Carlson Public Humanities Prize include Tabitha King, Billie Gammon, and Karan Sheldon and David Weiss of Northeast Historic Film.

Neil has been an active figure in Maine’s historical, political, and leadership worlds. To start, he is the author of nine books: York Is Living History; Sir William Pepperrell of Colonial New England; Rio Grande do Norte; An Illustrated History of Maine; A Narrative History of Maine; The Baxters of Maine; The Interrupted Forest; Unsettled Past, Unsettled Future: The Story of Maine Indians; and So You Think You Know Maine. His topics have ranged broadly, from prehistory to the present. Neil is also publisher at Tilbury House Press in Gardiner, Maine, which specializes in books about Maine and children’s books on culturally diverse topics.

For 16 years, Neil served as a Representative in the State Legislature (District 106, serving York and Kittery). He was also Assistant to Governor Kenneth M. Curtis for six years. His public and private board service represents a wide swath of interests and commitments. A pattern of deep civic involvement, historical study, and philanthropic support characterizes the gifts that Neil continues to give to Maine. The Maine Humanities Council is pleased to recognize the significant contribution he has made to the people of this state.