The Sacramento Chapter presented Shipley Walters with NSDAR’s Historic Preservation Medal in a socially-distanced, Zoom ceremony attended by her family, friends and DAR members, including California State Regent, Susan Broderick.

The Sacramento Chapter nominated Ms. Walters for the Historic Preservation Medal in recognition of her 50 years of extraordinary service to advance the historic preservation of Yolo County archival records. Ms. Walters’ work culminated in the establishment of a formal records management program for county records, the Yolo County Archives and Friends of the Yolo County Archives.

In 2019, Yolo County named its newly renovated archives and library services building the Shipley Walters Center for Yolo County Archives and Library Services in her honor.

“Mrs. Walters’ contribution to Yolo County historic preservation cannot be overestimated,” said Sacramento Chapter Regent, Janet Fulton. “Without Mrs. Walters,” she continued, “much of Yolo County’s historic records would have been permanently lost or inaccessible.”

Cottie Johnson, Chair of the Sacramento Chapter’s Historic Preservation Committee, added, “Mrs. Walters is an inspiration. Her fascination with Yolo County history propelled her to author or co-author 10 books on local history subjects, in addition to her historic preservation volunteerism.”

The Historic Preservation Medal is NSDAR’s most prestigious award for community historic preservation volunteers. It honors an individual whose study, promotion, and dedication to historic preservation has made a distinguished contribution on the regional, state, or national level for many years.

Photo L to R: Dave Walters (Shipley Walters’ son); Shipley Walters (HP Medal Awardee); Leslie Tuomi (Shipley Walters’ daughter)