The New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) announced last week that D. Brenton Simons, the organization’s longtime president and CEO, received the first-ever John Adams Medal from the Sons of the Revolution in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The award recognizes an individual for outstanding merit and lifetime achievement in the leadership of an institution, including societies, museums, archives, agencies, and other entities, that advances scholarship in the study of American history, including national, regional or local history, genealogy, military history, New England history, and related topics.
Mr. Simons was selected because he “has set the stage for a new generation to immerse themselves in family history with publications, social media, online research, and public TV programing,”
Sons of the Revolution President Brent J. Andersen said, “He’s reached millions of people all over the world and stimulated a love of history and research.”
The John Adams Medal commemorates the life and legacy of one of America’s founding fathers, John Adams, president of the United States from 1797 to 1801. It will be awarded annually at the Massachusetts Society’s signature event, the John Adams Treaty of Paris (1783) Dinner, each September.
The Sons of the Revolution in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts educates the public about the American Revolution, the United States Constitution, and the patriots who supported those causes during the period of 1775-1789.
