ROME — The Rome Historical Society’s prestigious Medal of 1777 usually is awarded to a person who has been a pillar of the community for decades.

This year it was presented to a man who, the society judged, has made a monumental impact in barely a year and a half.

Few were surprised when Fort Stanwix National Monument Superintendent Michael A. Caldwell was singled out for the honor in August.

Now Caldwell, one of the region’s and tourism’s biggest boosters, is being honored by the Accent on Excellence program of the Observer-Dispatch and Northland Communications.

He was nominated by Roberta Cavano, owner of The Printed Word in Rome.

She commended Caldwell for “bringing programs and people to the fort and the community; raising the presence of our National Monument to high visibility: engaging students teachers and tourists and spending incredible amounts of personal time ... to compel us to appreciate our heritage and improve the benefits of tourism for all.”

Caldwell said he appreciates the accolades, but he didn’t need the added incentive.

“I love doing what I’m doing,” he said. “I believe in ... Fort Stanwix (and) the (National) park service. I believe in the Mohawk Valley.

“Anything I can contribute to better the community, I will do it,” he said.

It’s an attitude Caldwell maintains wherever he is assigned by the National Park Service.

He was last with the Blackstone River Valley Heritage Corridor in southern Massachusetts. Before that he was at the New Bedford whaling site.

“Having an opportunity to become a superintendent was big,” he said of his decision to migrate to Rome.

“At Fort Stanwix, there were a number of things to get solved. The Willett Center (visitors and interpretive center), getting that built ... was attractive,” he said.

“The fort is the only park service unit within the Mohawk Valley. Having a National Park adds to the preservation of whatever you’re commemorating, but also ... it’s a source of pride,” Caldwell said.

“I saw us needing to ... participate with people like the Rome Historical Society, Rome Clean and Green and other community groups that do a lot of the area. We needed to have a seat at the table,” he said.

“No one organization is going to have all the resources in terms of money and staff. Together we have accomplished a lot,” Caldwell said.

Oneida County Executive Joseph Griffo met Caldwell weeks before the new superintendent took over at Fort Stanwix.

Since then, Griffo said, “Mike has brought a fresh, energetic approach to not only managing the national monument, but to interacting with the community.

“He has put forth new ideas and come up with financial resources to promote tourism in the area,” Griffo said.

Caldwell said, “When I first came here I sensed ... an unknowingness about what happens in the fort. It was like we were on this federal island in the middle of Rome. I didn’t just show up and good things happened. A lot of effort went in before I came.

“People know more about the fort now and what we do and what we’re about. That’s probably my biggest sense of accomplishment,” he said.

“I’ll continue to work hard and see where things go,” Caldwell said.