September 23, 2004

The 12-site Michigan Historical Museum system - and its flagship facility, the Michigan Historical Museum in downtown Lansing - has achieved the highest recognition for museums, accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM).

"Accreditation signifies excellence within the museum community," said Phillip C. Kwiatkowski, director of the Museum Division of the Michigan Historical Center.  "It is the result of our staff's ongoing commitment to maintaining ethical and professional practices, and the strictest accountability to the public we serve.  This honor also recognizes the partnership we have with the DNR Parks and Recreation Division in protecting our historic resources located within the Michigan State Park System."

Of the nation's nearly 16,000 museums, approximately 750 are accredited.  In Michigan, only 21 other museums have achieved accreditation status.

"Striving for accreditation is a rigorous but highly rewarding process," said Kwiatkowski.  "We believe this will strengthen Michigan's cultural tourism product."

The Michigan Historical Museum obtained accreditation as a museum system - a relatively new AAM process that is considerably more complex than accreditation of one museum with a single operation.  "System" accreditation required a thorough inventory and documentation of each site, including historic properties, physical plant, staffing levels, and public and educational offerings.  An accreditation team visited each site during its evaluation.

The Michigan Historical Museum System is a division of the Michigan Historical Center, an agency of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries, whose mission is to enrich the quality of life for Michigan residents by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity. The department also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Library of Michigan, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.