BIDDEFORD — Stanley R. Howe, director emeritus of the Bethel Historical Society, has received the Maine Historical Society’s 2013 Neal W. Allen Jr. History Award “in recognition of outstanding contributions in the field of Maine history and genealogy” at the organization’s 191st annual meeting.

Also receiving awards were Christopher J. Bilodeau, who was honored with the James Phinney Baxter Award for the best article published in Maine History in the past year; Frances L. Politt, the Elizabeth Ring Service Award; and Frederic L. Thompson, the Trustee Recognition Award.

Howe, who has written and lectured widely on many subjects relating to Maine history, has also taught Maine history at the universities of Southern Maine and New England, and served on graduate committees at Wesleyan and West Virginia universities.

A member of the Maine Historical Society since 1965, he has served the society as a trustee, chairman of the Publications Committee, a member of the Editorial Board and book review editor of Maine History since 1988.

After graduating from Gould Academy, he attended the University of Southern Maine and holds an M.A. from the University of Connecticut and a Ph.D. from the University of Maine. Active in the Bethel community, he also volunteers for a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Bethel Historical Society.