2026 Theme: Local Struggles, Lasting Change

The 17th Annual Local History Roundtable will be held on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026 from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m. on GVSU's Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids. Registration will begin at 2:30 p.m. 

This year's theme, Local Struggles, Lasting Change, will examine challenges that local communities faced in the past and their impact on the present. Our panel discussion titled, "A Place to Turn: The Grand Rapids Women's Resource Center, 1973-2000," will run from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. Dinner will follow, with the keynote address, titled, "Influencing 1776: How the Great Lakes Anishnaabek Helped Shape American History," by America250MI state committee member Eric Hemenway, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Check out our program page for more information!

Register here to reserve your spot and receive details to attend!

Established in 2014, the Gordon Olson Award is given once each year. Named in honor of Gordon Olson, former Grand Rapids City Historian and inaugural President of the Kutsche Office of Local History's Advisory Council, Olson's books, leadership, programming, mentorship, and advocacy have inspired generations of West Michigan residents.

The Gordon Olson Award recognizes individuals whose work embodies the Kutsche Office’s mission of “using history to give voice to diverse communities.” We celebrate those who help facilitate our understanding of the past and those who are documenting history as it happens in the present. Nominations are open to anyone, from historians, librarians, and genealogists, to journalists, artists, and community organizers. Winners receive a monetary award, plaque, recognition at our Annual Local History Roundtable, and GVSU media coverage for their work.

Nominations will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, February 16th, 2026. If you would like to submit a nomination, please click here to access the nomination form.

Please reach out with any questions at [email protected]!