Accreditation Community Celebration to be held 1-5 p.m. Sept. 29

The Museum of South Texas History has achieved accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for a museum. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies and to the museum-going public. To commemorate this historic event, MOSTHistory will host a celebration for the community from 1-5 p.m. on Sept. 29. On this day, visitors will not only receive FREE ADMISSION but will also be treated to some surprise celebratory activities.

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AAM Accreditation is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation and public accountability and earns national recognition for a museum for its commitment to excellence in all that it does: governance, collections stewardship, public programs, financial stability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for 35 years, AAM’s Museum Accreditation program strengthens the profession by promoting practices that enable leaders to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely and to provide the best possible service to the public.

“So many of our visitors tell us that we are a world-class museum,” said Shan Rankin, executive director. “Becoming accredited validates what our visitors have been telling us for years and we are thrilled to be on the official list of outstanding museums in the nation.”

Of the nation’s estimated 17,500 museums, just 6% are accredited; a figure that now includes MOSTHistory!

“Accreditation assures the people of Edinburg that their museum is among the finest in the nation,” said Ford W. Bell, president of the AAM. “As a result, the citizens can take considerable pride in their homegrown institution, for its commitment to excellence and for the value it brings to the community.”

Accreditation is a rigorous process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation, a museum first must conduct a year of self-study, then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. AAM’s Accreditation Commission, an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals, reviews and evaluates the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation. While the time to complete the process varies by museum, it generally takes three years. The trustees, advisors and staff of MOSTHistory look forward to celebrating this major accomplishment with their community and FRIENDS on Sept. 29.

About American Alliance of Museums
The American Alliance of Museums has been bringing museums together since 1906, helping to develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and providing advocacy on issues of concern to the entire museum community. With more than 17,000 individual, 3,000 institutional, and 300 corporate members, AAM is dedicated to ensuring that museums remain a vital part of the American landscape, connecting people with the greatest achievements of the human experience, past, present and future. For more information, visit www.aam-us.org.

About Museum of South Texas History
The Museum of South Texas History is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is located in downtown Edinburg at 200 North Closner Boulevard on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square. Hours of operation are from 1-5 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Founded in 1967 as the Hidalgo County Historical Museum in the 1910 Hidalgo County Jail, the museum has grown over the decades through a series of expansions to occupy a full city block. In 2003 following the completion of a 22,500 square foot expansion, the museum was renamed the Museum of South Texas History to better reflect its regional scope. Today, the museum preserves and presents the borderland heritage of South Texas and Northeastern Mexico through its permanent collection and the Margaret H. McAllen Memorial Archives and exhibits spanning prehistory through the 20th century. For more information about MOSTHistory, including becoming a FRIEND, visit MOSTHistory.org, like us on Facebook, follow on Twitter, connect on LinkedIn, find on Google+ or call +1-956-383-6911.

CONTACT:
Lisa K. Loebl
Marketing & Public Relations Officer
lloebl@mosthistory.org
+1-956-383-6911
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