NASHVILLE, Tenn.—June 27, 2024—The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has announced that the Tennessee State Museum and the John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library at Fisk University are recipients of an Award of Excellence for the Tennessee State Museum exhibition, Building a Bright Future: Black Communities and Rosenwald Schools in Tennessee, and its associated programming. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 79th year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.
The Tennessee State Museum, in partnership with the John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library at Fisk University, created a temporary exhibition and organized a two-day symposium in 2023 focusing on the legacy of Rosenwald schools in Tennessee. Through this exhibition and symposium, the Tennessee State Museum and Fisk wanted to build a more diverse and inclusive space for all Tennesseans to learn about and honor the history and legacy of Black education in the state. The resilience and perseverance of these Black communities as they strived for equal access to education is highlighted through their work with the Rosenwald School program. The legacy continues today as members from these same groups work toward the preservation of these schools and communities.
This year, AASLH confers 47 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.
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.
About Tennessee State Museum
Celebrating its 87th Anniversary in 2024, the Tennessee State Museum, located on the corner of Rosa L Parks Blvd. and Jefferson Street at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, is home to 13,000 years of Tennessee art and history. Through six permanent exhibitions titled Natural History, First Peoples, Forging a Nation, The Civil War and Reconstruction, Change and Challenge, and Tennessee Transforms, the Museum takes visitors on a journey – through artifacts, films, interactive displays, events, and educational and digital programing – from the state’s geological beginnings to the present day. Additional temporary exhibitions explore significant periods and individuals in history, along with art and cultural movements. The Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. For more information on exhibitions and events, please visit TNMuseum.org.
About Fisk University John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library
The Fisk University John Hope and Aurelia E. Franklin Library is the academic hub of the university, working to support the academic programs by providing books, electronic resources, and other materials. The present building was completed in 1969 and opened in January 1970. It houses over 240,000 volumes. Special Collections is a major national resource for the study of the African-American experience.
About American Association for State and Local History
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 to all people. AASLH publishes books, technical publications, a quarterly magazine, and maintains numerous affinity communities 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.
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