Carolyn Lafever of Cambridge City is being honored for her efforts promoting awareness and appreciation of local history.
The Indiana Historical Society has chosen Lafever as one of two winners of the Hubert Hawkins Local History Award, according to a news release. The Hawkins award, which honors the former executive secretary of IHS and director of the Indiana Historical Bureau, is presented to local historians for their distinguished service.
Lafever is the Wayne County historian emeritus after serving 20 years as the county historian, retiring Dec. 31, 2020. Volunteer historians for each county are appointed by the historical society and historical bureau. They are charged with promoting local history and connecting individuals and groups with history resources.
Lafever wrote six books and contributed to two more. An accomplished musician and former choir director, Lafever frequently speaks about local history.
Lafever plans to discuss and sign copies of her latest book on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 5:30 p.m. at Cambridge City Public Library. It’s called “She Never Failed Me: Lucinda Burbank Morton, Indiana’s First Lady of the Civil War.” Morton and her husband, Oliver P. Morton, both grew up in Centerville. He became governor a few months before the Civil War began.
Karen Schwartz of Corydon, who has led the Historical Society of Harrison County for more than two decades, also is being honored with a Hawkins award.
A version of this article appeared in the November 12 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.