NASHVILLE, TN — June 2018 — The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) proudly announces that the Silver City Museum is the recipient of an Award of Merit for the exhibition and programming 50 Years Ago in Silver City. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 73rd year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.

The Town of Silver City commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of its museum in 2017, recognizing the essential role the museum plays in keeping alive the history or our rural, remotely located mountain/high desert community. By examining how the events of fifty years ago continue to impact the community today, the Silver City Museum, in partnership with a community of local scholars, hosted an exhibition and series of public events that revisited our recent past and encouraged a dialogue about a wide range of historical topics in Silver City and Grant County. The topics in the exhibition and programs were interdisciplinary, including history, architecture, historic preservation, visual arts, music, education, technology, science, sports, civil rights, social justice, war, law enforcement, and community relations.

This year, AASLH is proud to confer forty-four national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits, and publications. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history. Presentation of the awards will be made at a special banquet during the 2018 AASLH Annual Meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, September 28. The banquet is supported by a generous contribution from the History Channel.
 
The AASLH awards program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout the United States. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards not only honor significant achievement in the field of state and local history, but also bring public recognition of the opportunities for small and large organizations, institutions, and programs to make contributions in this arena. For more information about the Leadership in History Awards, contact AASLH at 615-320-3203, or go to www.aaslh.org.

The American Association for State and Local History is a not-for-profit professional organization of individuals and institutions working to preserve and promote history. From its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, AASLH provides leadership, service, and support for its members who preserve and interpret state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful in American society. AASLH publishes books, technical publications, a quarterly magazine, a monthly newsletter, and maintains numerous affinity groups and committees serving a broad range of constituents across the historical community. The association also sponsors an annual meeting, regional and national training in-person workshops, and online training.
 
The Silver City Museum creates opportunities for residents and visitors to explore, understand, and celebrate the rich and diverse cultural heritage of southwestern New Mexico by collecting, preserving, researching, and interpreting the region's unique history. Admission is free; suggested donation $5. For more information, please contact the museum at (575) 538-5921, info@silvercitymuseum.org, or go to the museum's website. www.silvercitymuseum.org.