The MSU Museum is considered among the nation’s best by the American Association of Museums.
The association recently granted the museum re-accreditation - an honor it has held since 1977.
Kurt Dewhurst, MSU Museum director, said the association considers many factors when deciding if a museum is accreditation worthy. The quality of the facilities, exhibits and public programs all are probed by association officials.
“We are very appreciative of the honor,” Dewhurst said. “We believe the museum has a long and distinguished history in our state.”
The association visits museums nationwide about every five to 10 years, and the museum was last accredited in 1992. The association conducted a major report summarizing the activities of the museum since its last visit. Association officials visited the museum twice between 2001 and 2002, and the renewed accreditation was given in August.
The museum joined the Smithsonian Institution last year to set up an exchange of collections, research and resources.
Of the 8,000 museums nationwide, fewer than 10 percent are accredited. In Michigan, 21 museums are accredited. The Kresge Art Museum also was granted accreditation two years ago.
“The honor conveys the museum maintains a high level of professionalism,” said Lora Helou, an information officer at the MSU Museum. “The museum is well regarded by the museum community and offers a lot to the public.”
The museum, which is considered a natural and cultural history museum, was founded in 1857, and is one of the oldest museums on a college campus in the Midwest.
The building contains three floors, which have continuous and varying exhibits.
Currently, there are numerous continuing displays at the museum, which range from a dinosaur display to a display portraying different cultural traditions from around the world.
Special exhibits also are featured at the museum. “The Age of Packaging” tells the story of 50 years of changing technology in the packaging industry and “100 Years of Head-Heart-Hands-Health: The Michigan 4-H History Project” commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 4-H organization.
The museum’s visitors enjoy the wide array of displays offered.
Haslett residents Jim and Carolyn Graves had a fun and informative time taking their 10-year-old granddaughter Brittany to the museum.
Brittany was captivated by the dinosaur exhibit in the Habitat Hall.
“I like the big Tyrannosaurus Rex skull,” Brittany said. “It’s really cool looking.”
