FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Museum Exhibit Standards

NEWS: 

18 June 2001 OAH Press Release

CONTACT: Lee W. Formwalt, Executive Director

OAH CALLS FOR REEVALUATION OF PROPOSED SMITHSONIAN HALL OF FAME EXHIBIT

7 June 2001

BLOOMINGTON, Ind.—In a letter to the Smithsonian Institution's Board of Regents, the Organization of American Historians (OAH) has called on that body to reconsider its agreement with a private donor to establish a Hall of Fame for American Achievers at the National Museum of American History (NMAH).

The letter stated that historians have been troubled by recent reports about the role of private donors in the shaping of exhibits at the NMAH. These reports, according to OAH Executive Director Lee W. Formwalt, "suggest that the Smithsonian may be taking steps that will erode its legislative mandate, its high professional standards, and ultimately the public trust."

Speaking for the OAH Executive Board, Formwalt urged that "any Hall of Fame exhibit be provided a historical context in keeping with the mission of the NMAH." The organization also reasserted the History Exhibit Standards that it adopted in April 2000. These standards, which have been adopted by other major historical organizations as well, "highlight the crucial role of professional historians and other expert museum staff in warranting the historical and intellectual integrity of material presented in exhibits," said Formwalt.

The letter concluded by stressing the responsibility of the NMAH to uphold these exhibit standards. "It is the responsibility of trained museum staff to ensure that the exhibit meets the highest scholarly criteria, represents competing points of view, and reflects the diversity of the community that the museum serves."

Founded in 1907, OAH is the largest professional association of scholars and teachers of the American past.