Awards of Merit

In April 2010, awards were presented at the Opening Reception of the Museums in Conversation Conference sponsored by the Upstate History Alliance/Museum Association of New York held at the Albany International Airport Gallery in Albany, NY. For information about how to submit a nomination for an UHA Award of Merit, please click here.

A special congratulations to the 2010 award recipients as the last "class" of Upstate History Alliance Award of Merit winners! Please join us in 2011 in Buffalo when we present awards to the first class of Museumwise Award of Merit recipients!

Awards of Merit are given to institutions or individuals whose project/work represent outstanding contributions in their category and excellence compared to similar activities throughout New York State. This year, Award of Merit winners were presented with a $50.00 Gift Certificate from Gaylord Brothers.

Here are some photos from our 2010 Award of Merit Ceremony at the Albany International Airport Gallery

Confluence: A Tale of Two Rivers
Roberson Museum and Science Center
Binghamton, NY

The longest river on the American east cost, the Susquehanna River originates in Cooperstown and runs through twenty-two counties in New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland, finally emptying in the Chesapeake Bay. This exhibition, focusing on the area surrounding the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers, uses the river as a point of orientation in interpreting the area's history, hydrology, ecosystems, and artistic inspiration.

Reviewer Remarks:
‘I find it inspiring that this was intended as a healing exhibit for the communities affected by the 2006 flood.’

For the first time, diverse traditional Adirondack music and musicians have been brought together in one place as a significant resource for scholars, performers, and the interested public. Historical sketches, interpretive essays, biographical sketches of musicians and collectors, and over 100 songs and tunes recorded over the last 75 years with audio files and musical transcriptions are presented to an online audience. As research continues in public and private collections, new materials will be added.

Reviewer Remarks:
‘A truly accessible resource for many different populations no matter where they live. A creative way to encourage interest in the topic.’

Raising Community Awareness about Human Trafficking
Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation
Fayetteville, NY

The Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation organized a series of three events to raise community awareness about modern-day slavery, also known as human trafficking. The March 2009 events educated the public about trafficking as it occurs internationally, in the U.S., and in our own communities. The series included a book discussion/dialog on the 2007 National Book Award Finalist Sold, a screening of the film Trade (2007), and a panel discussion featuring legal experts and local activists.

Reviewer Remarks:
‘I'm impressed that a historical figure was used to inspire such modern and relevant programming. A rare project that is both local and global.’

Adirondack Youth Climate Summit
The Wild Center
Tupper Lake, NY

The Adirondack Youth Climate Summit was the first conference organized by Adirondack students to examine strategies in mitigating the effects of climate change in their schools and communities. The Summit brought together 175 participants from North Country high schools and colleges to develop carbon reduction plans for their schools. It served to network and support Adirondack schools that are working toward a greener future, empower youth to make positive change and to be a replicable model for rural communities.

Reviewer Remarks:
‘A timely and relevant program that has an impressive balance of science, nature and social issues. A great way of bringing North Country schools together.'

In June of 2009, the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site Foundation unveiled an entirely new visitor experience, featuring a multi-dimensional series of interactive approaches that invites visitors to appreciate the site of Roosevelt's 1901 inauguration as a dynamic tour through time. The multi-year interpretation initiative was completed in conjunction with a $2.7 million construction/renovation project

Reviewer Remarks:
‘A visually pleasing and interactive exhibit. A good balance of storytelling and modern technology used in interpretation.'

Oakwood Cemetery Guided Tours: An Innovative Approach to Interpreting our Past
Historic Oakwood Cemetery Preservation Association
Syracuse, NY

Historic Oakwood Cemetery Preservation Association (HOCPA) in Syracuse has brought "life" to a 150 year-old cemetery. Through guided tours led by living historians and tours with "catchy" titled, this grand outdoor museum has become a place to visit and learn from. All age groups, from 5th graders to college students to Senior Citizens, go on tours to learn more about the history of Syracuse. Not everyone in the cemetery is famous, but everyone has a story...

Reviewer Remarks:
‘The Tours are well documented with excellent photos. Tour attendance has steadily increased due to the outstanding dedication of Dorothy DeAngelo and Sue Greenhagen.'

Certificates of Commendation are given for excellence within the context of available means and regional standards.

Wanda Burch, Site Manager
Johnson Hall State Historic Site
Johnstown, NY

During her 35-year tenure at Johnson Hall State Historic Site, Wanda Burch has developed the site into one of the premiere historic site destinations in the Mohawk Valley --overseeing the restoration and furnishings of the hall, developing professional historic house interpretation, and creating innovative, educational, and popular programming at the site. Her commitment to local and regional outreach has made Johnson Hall an integral and vibrant node of the region's avocational and academic history communities, and a key component of the valley's heritage tourism economy. Wanda's experience and expertise, site management and stewardship, outreach and collegiality have made her a pillar of the historic site system in New York State.

Reviewer Remarks:
‘35 years of committment in museum work deserves a standing ovation!'

A Sweet and Alien Land: Colony of the Dutch in the Hudson River Valley
Crailo State Historic Site
Rensselaer, NY

During the summer of 2009 Crailo State Historic Site unveiled a new permanent interpretive exhibit on the colonial Dutch, the inhabitants of New Netherland, and their trade partners, the Native Americans. A Sweet and Alien Land: Colony of the Dutch in the Hudson River Valley invites visitors to discover local 17th century history through unfamiliar historical evidence, a reproduction Dutch House room, video, a variety of engaging interactives and an archaeological computer game.

Reviewer Remarks:
‘Very creative ways to engage visitors using a highly interactive and informative exhibit.’

Brockport Community Museum: A Museum without Walls
Brockport Community Museum
Brockport, NY

The Brockport Community Museum is a "museum without walls" with the mission of presenting the history of the Brockport area on a website and via interpretive signs and display cases in public venues throughout the community.

Reviewer Remarks:
‘Impressive creativity in the face of adversity! An excellent idea, it should serve as a model in the field.’

Hudson 400 Family Event
Historic Cherry Hill
Albany, NY

Historic Cherry Hill's Hudson 400 Family Event explored the issue of history versus nostalgia through interactive games and theater to appeal to a diverse audience. The outdoor event provided a unique perspective on both Cherry Hill's history and the statewide 2009 Quadricentennial celebration

Reviewer Remarks:
'A wonderful community event that features a very impressive, innovative program which is accessible and interesting for all ages and focuses on an often ignored aspect of history--nostalgia!'

Hudson River Panorama: 400 Years of History, Art & Culture-- A Teacher Resource
Albany Institute of History and Art
Albany, NY

The Albany Institute of History and Art's exhibition, Hudson River Panorama: 400 Years of History, Art and Culture, celebrates the river that has shaped our history and culture. AIHA created an inspiring resource package that includes activities and full-color materials in printed and electronic versions for teachers and students to use in K-12 classrooms. Materials are aligned with NYSED Standards and Curriculum

Reviewer Remarks:
'An impressive 'exhibit' in a folder with a wonderful array of education materials and gorgeous color illustrations! A great idea to offer both electronic and printed versions to teachers; this will last after the on site exhibit comes down.'

Never Done: Women and Work in Chemung County, 1880-1920
Chemung County Historical Society
Elmira, NY

Women have always worked, often without recognition of pay, but over time the nature of that work has changed. Never Done: Women and Work in Chemung County, 1880-1920 explores local labor trends and profiles various area women. Topics include education, medicine, industrial work, daily life, and charitable work.

Reviewer Remarks:
'Good choice of era to examine changes in society, women's rights and employment. An interesting and informative exhibit about some fascinating past residents.'

Warren County (New York) Its People and Their History Over Time
Warren County Historical Society
Queensbury, NY

"Warren County (New York): Its People and Their History Over Time" is a 496 page social history with more than 100 charts, maps, graphs and photos, an extensive bibliography and a 7,000 citation index. The book was a major ten year effort by 17 authors to provide an updated account of the county from its earliest settlements to logging and agriculture, to commercial development and modern day tourism.

Revier Remarks:
'Beautiful Book, very nicely done. Dedicated to the people who "live,work and play here" as well as guests and tourists.