2007 Ferguson History Book Award:

Duane L. Herrmann

By Thy Strengthening Grace: A Brief History of the First One Hundred Years of the Baháí Faith in Topeka, 1906-2006

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The 2007 Ferguson Kansas History Book Award, announced by Pat Ferguson, Kansas City, was given to Duane Herrmann, Topeka, for By Thy Strengthening Grace: A Brief History of the First One Hundred Years of the Baháí Faith in Topeka, 1906-2006, published by the Spiritual Assembly of the Baháís of Topeka, 2006. The book is available from www.bahaibookstore.com (search for Herrmann) and Lloyd Zimmer, 117 SW 6th in Topeka (www.ksbiblio.com).

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A native Topekan, Herrmann has a variety of work published in a dozen countries in four languages, including history, memoirs, fiction and poetry. He has written previously on various aspects of the Baháí Faith, specializing in Kansas Baháí history. His research has discovered that the Kansas Baháí community dates to the 19th century and is the second oldest west of Egypt.

His historical work has been recognized internationally and translated into Dutch, French, and German. He holds degrees in Education and History from Ft. Hays State University. A fifth generation Kansan, father of four and grandfather of four.

Herrmann spoke and read from his most recent volume of poems Prairies of Possibilities at the KAC District 1 meeting in October, 2007. Because Duane was unable to attend the 2007 KAC convention in Wichita, he was presented his certificate for the Ferguson Award at the District 1 October meeting.