Daylilies in New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill’s Lawn Garden.

By Robert Burgess
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill staff

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is pleased to announce that it has received re-accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, the culmination of an extensive self-study, evaluation of institutional documents, and a site visit by peer reviewers.

The American Alliance of Museums, based in Arlington, Va., re-accredited 22 organizations and awarded one first-time accreditation to museums from across the country. The museums demonstrated, through a rigorous process of self-assessment and peer review, that they met professional standards and practices and that they were core educational entities.

“I am extremely proud of the work invested by New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill staff, volunteers, and the Board of Trustees to accomplish this ultimate mark of distinction in the museum field,” said New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill CEO Grace Elton. “Accreditation signifies excellence and credibility to the entire museum community, to government and outside agencies, and to the museum-going public.”

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill’s Library is a valuable plant-inspired resource.

Developed and sustained by museum professionals for almost 50 years, the museum accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation, and public accountability. Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, 1,070 are currently accredited, including about 100 public gardens.

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill was awarded re-accreditation alongside such organizations as the Academy Art Museum in Maryland, the the Plains Art Museum in North Dakota, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Georgia, the Riverside Metropolitan Museum in California, and The Hershey Story: The Museum on Chocolate Avenue in Pennsylvania. New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill first received accreditation from the from the American Alliance of Museums in 1995.

“I commend the staff, board and volunteers of these institutions for their focus and commitment to excellence,” said Amy Bartow-Melia, the Accreditation Commission chairperson. “They’re an inspiration to our field and vital assets to the communities they serve.”

For more information about New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, visit nebg.org.