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>.
