Sam Houston Museum Stays On List of Nation’s Best Museums

Congratulations are in order as the Sam Houston Memorial Museum has earned accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest honor a museum can receive reports the Item (Nov. 12):

AAM accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for nearly 45 years, AAM’s museum accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation and public accountability.

Of the nation’s nearly 35,000 museums, approximately 1,000, or 3 percent, are currently accredited.

Accreditation is a rigorous process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations, according to Woodward. To earn accreditation, a museum first must conduct a year of self-study, examining and compiling information of the museum’s operations. After submitting this information they then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers.

The museum is also known for its unique exhibits, its association with the General Sam Houston Folk Festival and its educational programs that include live demonstrations and an art and history camp.
Founded in 1936 during the Texas Centennial Celebration, the museum is dedicated to the life and times of Gen. Sam Houston, former governor of Tennessee, victor over Santa Anna in the Texas War for Independence, president of the Republic of Texas, senator from the state of Texas and governor of Texas.