The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) has awarded accreditation to the Webb Deane Stevens Museum, renewing its previous accreditation status. Among an estimated 33,000 museums in the United States, only 1,099, or just over 3%, are currently accredited. The Webb Deane Stevens Museum was first awarded accreditation in 1973, making it the first museum owned by a Colonial Dames Society to receive that distinction. Prior to this year’s award, the Museum had been reaccredited four times.
The AAM Commission made its final decision in October. The decision was based on a rigorous process of a self-assessment submitted to the Commission, as well as an evaluation of the Museum by peer reviewers. As an institution, the Webb Deane Stevens Museum was required to demonstrate that it met the highest standards and best practices established for the museum field by the AAM. Receiving accreditation certifies that as an educational institution, the Webb Deane Stevens Museum is an appropriate steward of the collections and resources it holds in the public trust.
“We are extremely grateful to the AAM Commission. This accreditation reaffirms our mission to educate people about the importance of our Nation’s founding principles, preserve our unique collections, and inspire with the stories of the diverse peoples who occupied the Museum’s historic houses,” said Joshua Campbell Torrance, Executive Director of the Webb Deane Stevens Museum. “Our dedicated staff and board of managers were instrumental in helping to achieve this distinguished status for the Museum.”
Recognized as the field’s gold standard for museum excellence for over 50 years, AAM accreditation signifies a museum’s quality and credibility to the entire museum community, to governments and outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. The accreditation program helps to ensure the integrity and accessibility of museum collections, reinforce the educational and public service roles of museums, and promote good governance practices and ethical behavior.
“Accredited museums are a community of institutions that have chosen to hold themselves publicly accountable to excellence,” said Laura L. Lott, American Alliance of Museums President and CEO. “Accreditation is clearly a significant achievement, of which both the institutions and the communities they serve can be extremely proud.”
