State Historical Museum of Iowa receives highest national honor
“First in the Nation” exhibit and traveling display recognized
State Historical Museum of Iowa Curator Leo Landis (center) accepts an American Association for State and Local History Award of Merit Friday from AASLH Council Chair Julie Rose (left) and AASLH President and CEO John Dichtl for the “First in the Nation: Shaping Presidential Politics Since 1972” exhibit. The award is AASLH’s most prestigious recognition for achievement in preservation and interpretation of state and local history.
DES MOINES – The State Historical Museum of Iowa received a Leadership in History Award from the American Association for State and Local History on Friday, the most prestigious recognition for achievement in preservation and interpretation of state and local history.
The AASLH honored the museum’s “First in the Nation: Shaping Presidential Politics Since 1972” exhibition with an Award of Merit during its 71st Annual Leadership in History Awards banquet and 2016 Annual Meeting in Detroit. This year, AASLH conferred 63 national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits and publications.
State Historical Museum of Iowa staff received an Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History in recognition of the “First in the Nation: Shaping Presidential Politics Since 1972” exhibit. The award is AASLH’s most prestigious recognition for achievement in preservation and interpretation of state and local history. Front row: (l-r) Jessica Rundlett, Jodi Evans, Kay Coats and Jen Bancescu. Second row: (l-r) Lisa Kent, Vania Boland, Susan Kloewer and Jennifer Cooley. Back row (l-r) Andrew Harrington and Leo Landis.
“The State Historical Museum engages Iowans across the state with quality programs and exhibits that tell the rich stories of Iowa,” State Historical Museum of Iowa Director Susan Kloewer said. “We are very proud the American Association for State and Local History has recognized our efforts and the ‘First in the Nation’ exhibit as one of the best in the country. In addition to our museum staff, we share this award with the various partners and sponsors who supported this exhibit and related programming.”
“The Leadership in History Awards is AASLH’s highest distinction, and the winners represent the best in the field,” AASLH Awards Chair Trina Nelson Thomas said. “This year, we are pleased to distinguish each recipient’s commitment and innovation to the interpretation of history, as well as their leadership for the future of state and local history.”
In making the award presentation, AASLH recognized the “First in the Nation” exhibit for its quality and related programming, including candidate forums, issue discussions and educational programming and curriculum. AASLH also noted the museum’s outreach to the entire state through the exhibit’s complementary “First in the Nation” traveling display.
The award issued Friday marks the second year in a row the museum has received AASLH’s highest honor. In 2015, AASLH recognized the museum’s “Riding Through History” exhibit, about RAGRBAI, and a community partnership with Scavo Alternative High School.
The Leadership in History Awards Program was initiated in 1945 to build standards of excellence in the collection, preservation and interpretation of state and local history throughout America. Each nomination is peer-reviewed by AASLH’s state captains. Final awards are decided by the Awards Committee, comprised of AASLH’s 14 regional representatives and the National Awards Chair.