The Mormon Battalion Historic Site in San Diego is being honored with the California Historian of the Year Commercial Award. The award was presented to the historic site at the annual meeting of the Conference of California Historical Societies in San Pedro on Saturday, 21 June 2014.

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The Mormon Battalion Historic Site is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The center evokes Old San Diego and includes modern interactive displays and hands-on activities for visitors of all ages.

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Ann Shea, president of the Conference of California Historical Societies, honored Elder David N. Barnes and his wife, Cherie, as the directors of the Mormon Battalion Historic Site.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from the Conference of California Historical Societies,” said Elder Barnes to the attending delegates. “Just as the Mormon Battalion made significant contributions to Old Town San Diego over 150 years ago, it is our desire that the Mormon Battalion Historic Site be a valuable community partner and contributor to Old Town San Diego today.”

Founded in 1954, the Conference of California Historical Societies is a federation of historical societies, museums, libraries and other history-oriented groups and individuals.

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Patrons at the historic site learn why this group of Latter-day Saint men and women joined the U.S. Army and what they accomplished during and after their 2,000-mile trek from Iowa to San Diego. About 500 men enlisted in the Mormon Battalion, and about 80 women and children traveled with them.

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The Mormon Battalion Historic Site is open seven days a week and is free to the public.

For more information on the award, read the article in The Daily Transcript.

The Mormon Battalion Historic Site is also being recognized by travel websiteTripAdvisor with a 2014 Certificate of Excellence for consistently earning top ratings from its travelers.