The Association recognizes a wide variety of distinguished historical work, which can take the form of an exceptional book in the field, distinguished teaching and mentoring in the classroom, film, or digital projects and resources. Since 1896 the Association has conferred over a thousand awards. The names, publications, and projects of those who received these awards are a catalogue of the best work produced by members of the historical discipline.

The Troyer Steele Anderson Prize for contributions to the advancement of the purposes of the Association

The Eugene Asher Award for distinguished postsecondary history teaching

The Beveridge Family Teaching Prize for distinguished K–12 history teaching

Equity Awards for individuals and institutions that have achieved excellence in recruiting and retaining underrepresented racial and ethnic groups into the history profession

The Herbert Feis Award for distinguished contributions to public history

The Honorary Foreign Member for a foreign scholar who is distinguished in his or her field and who has “notably aided the work of American historians”

The Nancy Lyman Roelker Mentorship Award for teachers of history who taught, guided, and inspired their students in a way that changed their lives

The Theodore Roosevelt-Woodrow Wilson Award to honor individuals outside the historical profession who have made a significant contribution to the study, teaching, and public understanding of history

The Award for Scholarly Distinction to senior historians for lifetime achievement