The “Frankfurt Historical Commission” has existed since the year 1906 and was initiated by the Municipal Authority of the City Frankfurt am Main. It was newly incorporated by municipal decision on 16. March 1948 and it has the function of promoting Frankfurt city history by systematic research, source editions and the publication of scientific findings.
Since 1984 the Commission has awarded the annual Study Prize with a value of Euro 4 000 donated by Johann Philipp Freiherr von Bethmann. It is open to young scientists undertaking extensive and not yet completed research work on Frankfurt history.