The National Civil War Naval Museum Wins 2010 AASLH Award of Merit

Jun 25, 2010

NASHVILLE, TN—June, 2010—The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) proudly announces that the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus is the recipient of an Award of Merit from the AASLH Leadership in History Awards for the USS Water Witch Reconstruction. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 65th year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. Awards for 2010 represent 49 organizations and individuals from across the United States. Award winners will be honored at a special banquet during the 2009 AASLH Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Friday, September 24. A generous contribution from The History Channel will once again help underwrite the cost of the awards banquet.

“We are proud to have Columbus represented among these national award winners. It is wonderful to have this level of recognition for an effort we have worked on for so long,” said museum executive director Bruce Smith. The USS Water Witch recreation at Port Columbus was initiated to create a Civil War ship environment for interpretation and demonstrations of shipboard activities during the war. The ship has already served as the setting for multiple living history events depicting the experiences of Civil War sailors and marines, letting visitors literally step into the scene being recreated.

 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 brings 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, and monthly newsletter. The association also sponsors regional and national training workshops and an annual meeting.

###
 

<< Return to Press Release