Wednesday - May 6, 2026
American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West | New York, New York
Please contact kenburnsprize@americanprairie.org for more information or to purchase a ticket or table to the Event.
PROGRAM
6:00 PM Grand Reception, THEODORE ROOSEVELT ROTUNDA
7:00 PM Dinner and Program, MILSTEIN HALL OF OCEAN LIFE
9:00 PM Finale Dessert Reception, MILSTEIN HALL OF OCEAN LIFE
REMARKS
Alison Fox
CEO, American Prairie
KEYNOTE
Ken Burns
INTRODUCED BY
TBD
AWARD PRESENTATION
Bill Hilf
Chair, American Prairie National Board of Directors
2026 Ken Burns American Heritage Prize Recipient
VINCE GILL
Museum Parking Garage Entrance: 81st Street between Central Park West & Columbus Avenue | COCKTAIL ATTIRE
If you are unable to attend or will attend as a guest of a table host, thank you for considering a gift to support the Ken Burns American Heritage Prize:
Net proceeds generated by the Prize after expenses will be equally divided between American Prairie and Ken Burns. American Prairie is a registered 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 81-0541893). All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Ken Burns has been making documentary films for almost 50 years. Since the Academy Award®-nominated Brooklyn Bridge in 1981, Ken has gone on to direct and produce some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made, including The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz, The War, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, Prohibition, The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, The Vietnam War, Country Music, The U.S. and the Holocaust, The American Buffalo, Leonardo da Vinci; and, most recently, The American Revolution.
Future film projects include Emancipation to Exodus, and LBJ & the Great Society, among others.
Ken’s films have been honored with dozens of major awards, including 17 Emmy® Awards, two GRAMMY Awards, and two Oscar nominations. In September of 2008, at the News & Documentary Emmy® Awards, Ken was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In November of 2022, Ken was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
One of the most popular artists in modern country music, Vince Gill is famous for his top-notch songwriting, world-class guitar playing, and warm, soaring tenor, all wrapped up in a quick and easy wit. Gill achieved his big breakthrough in 1990 with “When I Call Your Name,” which won both the Country Music Association’s (CMA) Single and Song of the Year awards as well as a Grammy Award® for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male. In total, Gill has won 18 CMA Awards, 22 Grammy Awards®, 8 Academy of Country Music Awards, and in 2025, he was presented with the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1991, Gill was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and in 2007, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2012, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
A gifted songwriter, Gill’s compositions earned him entry into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and the prestigious BMI Icon award in 2014. Throughout his career, he has released 21 albums, sold over 30 million albums, and charted 45 singles. In 2022, Gill was inducted into the Musicians’ Hall of Fame. Always considering himself a musician above all else, Gill has been a part of some iconic bands, including Pure Prairie League, The Notorious Cherry Bombs, and The Time Jumpers. In 2017, Gill was asked to join the Eagles on the road, and he continues to be a part of that historic band’s tour. 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of Gill leaving home to pursue a music career. To honor that milestone, he signed a lifetime contract with his record label, MCA, and is releasing an EP series of brand-new music every month for a year, titled 50 Years from Home.
Contact kenburnsprize@americanprairie.org with questions or for more information.