EARN A $1000 SCHOLARSHIP from our FLORA WERTHEIM BEQUEST

Miss Flora Wertheim, a Fredericksburg native, died in 1980 after a lifetime as an educator and community leader. She left a legacy for inspiring young people to learn local history while earning money for college. The Flora Wertheim Bequest was established by the Historical Society to provide an award to the winner of an annual Historical Essay Contest. It was her wish to reward the student who expressed the most enthusiasm in learning the history of Fredericksburg. The award is $1000.

The contest is held annually.

Eligible applicants are Gillespie County resident high school seniors entering freshman level classes at any accredited college in the current or upcoming school year.

REQUIREMENTS

Essays may be about the general sweep of Fredericksburg history, or they may be more specific about a key aspect of the founding, growth, and development of the town. They must be between 2,000 – 3,000 12-point typed words.

RESOURCES

Applicants are encouraged to use the resources of the Gillespie County Historical Society and/or source material from our website, www.pioneermuseum.net. However, it should be noted that all essays are to be the original work of the applicant.

Applicants are invited to contact our Archivist, Evelyn Weinheimer, at 997-2835 to set an appointment for research or to discuss possible essay topics. Mrs. Weinheimer is herself a native of Fredericksburg, and a long-time educator in the FISD, and she can assist with research in primary source documents held in collection by the Gillespie County Historical Society.

JUDGING

Judges are selected by the Gillespie County Historical Society based on their knowledge of local history and of good writing techniques.

Essay Contest Winners will be selected on the following criteria:

1. Topic selection – Does the writer demonstrate understanding of the assignment?

2. Originality – Has the writer been creative in the treatment of the topic?

3. Accuracy - Has the writer double-checked his/her statements of fact?

4. Tone – Does the essay convey enthusiasm for local history?

5. Style – Does the writer show a command of good writing style that draws in the reader?

6. Mechanics – Does the writer show attention to grammar, spelling and punctuation?

SUBMISSION and WINNERS

Completed essays must be delivered by April 15 to the Pioneer Museum at 325 W Main Street, Fredericksburg. Or they may be emailed in doc or pdf format to .

Winners will be notified by May 1. The scholarship award will be made directly to the winner upon receipt of proof of enrollment in any accredited school.

APPLY NOW

To request an application to the Flora Wertheim Historical Essay Contest, please call or email Dr. Jeryl Hoover, Executive Director at 830-990-8441 or .