Foundation News
THE HONORABLE PETER FOX COHALAN SCHOLARSHIP IN AMERICAN HISTORY FOR NASSAU/SUFFOLK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK – The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation is pleased to announce the 2024 Honorable Peter Fox Cohalan Scholarship in American History for Nassau/Suffolk County High School Seniors. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating Nassau/Suffolk County high school senior who will pursue an undergraduate degree with a concentrated study of a minimum of 24 credit hours in American History and/or American Government.
The awardees must attend a 4-year accredited college or university or academic institution subject to Board approval. The scholarship award is $10,000 yearly for 4 years of degree completion.
Application will be closed on March 31, 2024. Notifications will be sent out in the first week of May, 2024. A runner-up will be selected in case the first-place awardee is unable to accept the scholarship.
Eligibility: The Foundation will accept a maximum of 3 applicants from each High School located in Nassau/Suffolk County, New York.
Application Materials
1. An academic writing sample of at least 10 pages (typed and double spaced) based on any aspect of Long Island history and how it reflects New York State and American History.
2. Chicago-style endnotes, as well as a bibliography.
3. Two of the sources must be primary.
4. Two (2) letters of recommendation from an American history or American studies teacher.
5. Personal statement in the form of a 500-word academic autobiography giving special attention to achievements in American history and public service.
6. An official transcript.
A completed package including all of the above items must be received by March 31, 2024.
Mail to: Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, 30 West Main Street, Suite 309, Riverhead, New York 11901 Attention: Scholarship
Yearly renewal of the scholarship will be based on the following conditions:
1. Maintenance of a minimum GPA of 3.25.
2. The awardee must be majoring in American History and/or American Government.
3. Awardees of the scholarship will be required to volunteer at a local participating historical society to help that society grow. The hours allotted to the project will be determined and records kept by a historical society representative. Examples of acceptable projects might include:
• Website design and maintenance
• Social media presences: including postings for the society on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
• Docent and tour site interpreter
• Cataloguing
• Digitizing collections
• Transcription of archives
• Historic site restoration and improvements
• General research
• Event volunteering
4. A yearly report will be due the last week of July from the student and representative of the participating historical society upon completion of each project submitted for The Honorable Peter Fox Cohalan Scholarship in American History for Gardiner Foundation Board review.
The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, established in 1987, primarily supports the study of New York State history, with an emphasis on Suffolk County. Robert David Lion Gardiner was, until his death in August 2004, the 16th Lord of the Manor of Gardiner's Island. The Gardiner family and their descendants have owned Gardiner's Island since 1639, obtained as part of a royal grant from King Charles I of England. The Foundation's mission is inspired by Robert David Lion Gardiner's lifelong passion for New York history.
Questions and inquires may be addressed to:
Kathryn M. Curran, Executive Director
Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation
30 West Main Street, Suite 309, Riverhead, New York 11901
631-594-3990
