The 75th anniversary special programming of WOI-AM of Ames was recently nominated for the Community History Award from the State Historical Society.

The programming, presented during Iowa Week ’97, included a 26-minute documentary and a car rally.

The documentary, compiled by Rick Frederickson of WOI, highlighted 1922, the year WOI-AM became the first Iowa broadcaster.

Along with telling the story behind insulin and its invention that year, the documentary presented the voice of Herbert Hoover and “drew on the memories of George Mills and other historians to create a lively time capsule of that year,” according to a press release.

In honor of its 75-year history, the station also hosted a rally in September, pairing a 1922 Model T with the ISU solar car.

The cars traveled on back roads and stopped at communities during their trips from Ames to Stones Restaurant in Marshalltown, where the station held a one-hour live broadcast.

Cate Clark, who organized the rally for WOI, said it was “just a road trip,” but “the solar car really drew in the crowds.”

Any history project that helps keep Iowa’s heritage alive can be nominated for the Community History Award, better known as the Van Horton Award.

George Munns, director of public relations for the State Historical Society of Iowa, said WOI’s project was nominated because of its dedication to “keep the fabric of our heritage alive.”

Munns said that projects are generally nominated by someone familiar with the undertaking, and then the nomination goes through a screening process.

The winner of the Van Horton Award will be revealed on June 12 during the Iowa Heritage Expo. The Expo is held in Des Moines at the State Historical Building from June 11 through June 13.