The John L. Nau, III Award of Excellence in Museums, created in 2002, recognizes and honors the significant contributions of an individual or institution in the areas of historical interpretation, museum education, conservation of collections, and/or community involvement.
2022 Irving Archives and Museum, Irving
2021 Bell County Museum, Belton
2020 Harrison County Historical Museum, Marshall
2019 Kimble County Heritage Center, Junction
2018 Frontier Texas, Abilene
2017 Museum of the Coastal Bend at Victoria College, Victoria
2015 Mary Jon and J.P. Bryan, The Bryan Museum, Galveston
2014 Robert Oliver, Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum, Cuero
2013 Newton Warzecha, Presidio la Bahia, Goliad
2012 Gene Galbraith, Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches, Lockhart
2011 Dr. Shawn B. Carlson, Republic of Texas Museum, Washington on the Brazos
2010 Howard Taylor, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo
2009 Sharon Chamblee, Chair, Mineola Historical Museum Board
2008 Virginia Scott, Wolf Creek Heritage Museum, Lipscomb
2007 Larry Francell, Museum of the Big Bend, Alpine
2006 Priscilla Rodriguez, Brownsville Heritage Complex
2005 Christopher Dyer, Williamson County Historical Museum
2004 Mary L. Irving, Railroad & Heritage Museum, Temple
2003 Thomas A. Fort, Museum of South Texas History, Edinburg
2002 Jeff West, Sixth Floor Museum, Dallas
