Thank you, Historic New England! I have been honored as the winner of the 2023 Prize for Collecting Works on Paper for my lifetime achievement as curator of the Candy Wrapper Museum and my books "Necco–An Epic Candy Tale" and "Necco–The Archive Collection,” which chronicle the history of the New England Confectionery Company and its family of brands from the 19th through the 21st centuries.

Historic New England is the oldest and largest regional heritage organization in the nation. Their prize honors a collector or dealer who has assembled or helped save significant collections related to New England and its diverse communities or to the nation as a whole. I would have never dreamed when I started my collection as a teen that I would receive an honor of such prestige.

I’m proud to announce that I was honored by the Cambridge Historical Commission in their Twenty-seventh Cambridge Preservation Awards on May 25, 2023. They bestowed Special Recognition for my books, Necco: An Epic Candy Tale and Necco: The Archive Collection, for their “contribution to the public’s understanding of and appreciation for Cambridge and its multi-faceted history."

I was unable to attend the awards ceremony. However, Alex Piandes, photographer of historic sites for the book, was able to accept the award in my stead. And although my name is on this award, my husband Joe Lacey shares all due credit for this achievement with his book design, photography, and image restoration. I’m grateful to the Cambridge Historical Commission and everyone who made these books possible.