Museum Week

This weekend is your last opportunity to get out and enjoy Museum Week in the greater Philadelphia area. This week-long event ends on Sunday, May 3. While there are some great indoor museums like the Betsy Ross House and the Academy of Natural Sciences, why not enjoy the spring weather in an outdoor museum of arboreta and botanic gardens.

Visitors enjoying the blooms of Cornus florida 'Pluribracteata'. photo credit: R. Maurer

Just like traditional museums, arboreta and botanic gardens accession, maintain, and preserve their collections. The difference is their collections are living plants. These types of museums can also receive accreditation from the American Association of Museums (AAM). Accreditation is a widely recognized seal of approval that recognizes museums’ with a commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement.

Accredited status:

• certifies that a museum meets the program’s eligibility criteria and the Characteristics of an Accreditable Museum as set forth by the Accreditation Commission;
• certifies that a museum has undergone a rigorous process of self-assessment as well as review by its peers;
• signifies that a museum fulfills its obligations to the public as set forth in its mission;
• recognizes a museum’s commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement.

In addition to meeting the high standards set forth by AAM, museums must be re-accredited every 10 years. The Scott Arboretum was re-accredited in 2005 after a year-long self-assessment, a visit by two peer reviewers, and a review by the AAM Board of Directors. Of the nation’s nearly 16,000 museums over 775 are currently accredited.

Enjoy spring blooms in the Crabapple collection. photo credit: R. Robert

With today’s uncertain financial climate, some museums are sacrificing collections and straying from their mission. An accredited museum must remain true to its mission and is accountable for its actions. When you participate at or support an accredited museum, you can be sure the collections are well maintained and respected and they fulfilling their obligations to the public.

I encourage you to visit an accredited museum, public garden, or arboretum this weekend in celebration of Museum Week and experience the quality an accredited institution can provide.