Adena Mansion Gardens in Chillicothe Armstrong Air & Space Museum in Wapakoneta Campus Martius Museum in Marietta Fort Ancient near Oregonia Fort Meigs in Perrysburg Johnston Farm & Indian Agency in Piqua Accreditation from the American Association of Museums is the highest national recognition achievable by an American museum since the program began in 1971. Currently, there are 780 accredited museums in the United States. That means that just 4.5 percent of the estimated 17,500 museums in the country are accredited. AAM accreditation is a widely recognized seal of approval that brings national recognition to museums, regardless of their size or location. Since its founding in 1885, the Ohio Historical Society has been consistently recognized as one of the leading state historical organizations in the country, said Burt Logan, OHS executive director and CEO. The Ohio Historical Center was among the first institutions to be accredited by the American Association of Museums when the program was established in 1971. This, the centers fourth subsequent accreditation, reaffirms that we continue to meet the most stringent professional standards in all areas of operation. It also is especially gratifying to have six of the Societys sites receive this coveted designation. AAM accreditation signifies excellence and accountability to the entire museum community, to governments and outside agencies and to the museum-going public. To earn accreditation, a museum first must conduct a year of self-study, then undergo a site visit by a two-person team of peers. The accreditation commission, an autonomous body of museum professionals appointed by the AAM board, considers the self-study and site visit report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation. While the time to complete the process varies by museum, it generally takes as much as three years. All accredited museums undergo a subsequent review within 10 years of their last accreditation award.
Community Celebrations At each of the newly accredited historic sites, the Ohio Historical Society will be hosting a reception to recognize the achievements of the sites management and volunteers as well as to present the accreditation certificate. Receptions have been scheduled at: Johnston Farm & Indian Agency for Friday, Jan.14 at 10 a.m.; Armstrong Air & Space Museum for Friday, Jan. 14, at 1 p.m.; Adena Mansion & Gardens for Friday, Jan 21, at 10 a.m.; Fort Ancient for Friday, Jan 21, at 1 p.m.; Campus Martius Museum for Monday, Jan. 24, at 2:30 p.m.; and Fort Meigs for Friday, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. The public is invited to attend. To register, call 800.840.6127.
About the Ohio Historical Society The Ohio Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that serves as the states partner in preserving and interpreting Ohios history, natural history, archaeology and historic places. For more information, visit the Ohio History Online Portal.
About the American Association of Museums The American Association of Museums, organized in 1906, has more than 15,000 individual, 3,000 institutional and 300 corporate members. For more information about AAM and its accreditation program, including a complete list of accredited institutions, visit the AAM web site.
