Calvert Marine Museum Receives Highest National Recognition Awarded Accreditation from the American Association of Museums

Dec 9, 2009, 08:07

The Calvert Marine Museum has achieved its third accreditation from the American Association of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for a museum. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, governments, funders, outside agencies, and the museum-going public.

AAM Accreditation measures 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.

Since 1981, the Calvert Marine Museum (CMM) has been accredited by the American Association of Museums. This seal of approval, regardless of museum size or location, brings national recognition. “This is a reflection of all the hard work and dedication that staff and volunteers have put into making CMM an exceptional museum,” said Doug Alves, Director of the Calvert Marine Museum. “When you realize that there are about 17,500 museums in the United States, 775 are currently accredited, and 300 plus have gone through the process three times, we are part of a very small number that have kept our professional standards at the highest level.” CMM is one of only 12 museums in Maryland to be accredited.

“Accreditation assures the people of Southern Maryland that their museum is among the finest in the nation,” said Ford W. Bell, president of 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, review and evaluate 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 Calvert Marine Museum has provided history, education, and culture to Southern Maryland for nearly 40 years. The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors and those with a valid military I.D., and $2.00 for children ages 5 – 12; children under 5 are free. For a complete listing of museum activities, events, and programs, visit the website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042 ext. 17 for more information.