Henry Adams Medal + Certificate,
American Institute Of Architects Award

Each year, The American Institute of Architects awards an engraved medal and certificate of merit to the top-ranking graduating student in each architecture program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. A certificate of merit is awarded to the second-ranking graduating student. These awards are provided as part of the AIA/AAF Scholarship Program.

Formerly called “The School Medal”, the program began in 114 and was awarded for “general excellence in architecture throughout the four-year course to graduating students of architecture schools recognized by the Institute.” The graduate was later presented with a copy of Mont St. Michel and Chartres, written by Henry Adams. The copyright of this book was later bequeathed to the Institute by the author.

The Henry Adams fund was established in 1921 with royalties from the book sales. The fund was used to award a copy of the book “to draftsmen who cannot afford to buy it.” The School Medal and Henry Adams book awards evolved into the Henry Adams Medal and Certificate Program. To date the program has honored thousands of students.