The Society of Colonial Wars in the Commonwealth of Kentucky instituted the T. Kennedy Helm, Jr., Awards Program in 2005 to advance the study of Colonial America. Awards have been made to Kentucky graduate students, the John Dickinson Writings Project at the University of Kentucky, and the Archeological Field School at Jamestown, Virginia. Since 2018, the Helm Awards Program has sent Kentucky social studies teachers to take part in the Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute of Colonial Williamsburg. The awards cover tuition (including accommodation and most meals) and transportation to and from Williamsburg. The Teacher Institute holds multiple sessions for both elementary and secondary educators during June, July, and August. Each session brings together 25 teachers from across the country for a week on location in Colonial Williamsburg (with visits to Jamestown and Yorktown), where under the guidance of a Master Teacher they engage in an interdisciplinary approach to teaching social studies with American history as the focus.

Any Kentucky social studies teacher is welcome to apply for a Helm Award to attend the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute. The applications will be considered by the T. Kennedy Helm, Jr., Awards Program Committee. Applications to attend the 2021 Teacher Institute as a Helm awardee will be available on approximately September 1, 2020, and due on December 6, 2020. Further information will be posted on this website.