Mars Chocolate North America is pleased to announce the awarding of the 2015 Chocolate History Research and Investigative Studies Grant to three institutions across the US and Canada innovating in the areas of research and chocolate programming. Winners were acknowledged at the 12th Annual banquet dinner of the Colonial Chocolate Society held at The National Archives, in Washington, DC.  The Colonial Chocolate Society is a group whose mission is to further the study of chocolate's rich history and its impact on past and present culture in the Americas.

"At Mars, we believe passionately in uncovering and sharing chocolate's unique role in our heritage," said Gail Broadright, Director Mars Sponsorships. "This year's grant winners are thought leaders in the areas of discovery and interpretation and we are excited to partner with them to bring more chocolate stories to life for their visitors."

Broadright, Tracey Massey, President Mars Chocolate North America and Williams Clements, Vice President, Sponsorships & Sports Marketing Mars Chocolate North America awarded grants for development of the following:

Old North Church Foundation of Boston, Inc: Further research on Captain Jackson's background as a chocolate maker, and expansion of the exhibit to traveling chocolate educational kits and school programming

The Fort Ticonderoga Association: Research and living history programming portraying how chocolate was used by armies and the various cultures that held the Fort during 1777

Friends of Fort Ontario: Research and production of a interpretive touchscreen video on the history and daily uses of chocolate at Fort Ontario from the French and Indian War to the present

Last year's grant winners—Betsy Ross House/Historic Philadelphia, Inc; Genesee Country Village and Museum and Old Salem Museums and Gardens—made presentations to their peers during the annual meeting highlighting how last year's funds were used to meet institutional goals.

Mars plans to continue to award grants on an annual basis and the submission period for the 2016 awards begins in the summer of 2016 at www.AmericanHeritageChocolate.com.  American Heritage Chocolate is an authentic line of products based on ingredient lists from the 18th century developed by Mars Chocolate North America. American Heritage Chocolate brings chocolate's sweet past to life for historic site visitors through chocolate history demonstrations, chocolate drink sampling and retail products for in home use.