Heritage Museums & Gardens is honored to announce that it has been awarded the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) distinguished Award of Excellence for its exceptional special project "Creating Cape Cod," which encompassed an exhibit, catalog, and eleven oral history videos. This award is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.
Now in its 79th year, AASLH has presented the Leadership in History Awards to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history. This year AASLH conferred 47 Awards of Excellence honoring people, projects, exhibits, and publications. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history.
The “Creating Cape Cod” project explored the remarkable transformation of Cape Cod from what Thoreau described as a “Yankee backwater” into a premier vacation destination that now attracts five million visitors annually. In 1920, Cape Cod leaders strategically chose tourism as the remedy for a struggling economy. A century later, the thriving tourism industry has surpassed all expectations. Special areas of focus for the project included challenges that the tourist economy creates for Cape Cod and who was – and was not – welcome to vacation on Cape Cod. Highlighted in the videos are the experiences of minority tourists and owners of businesses that catered to those tourists.
The “Creating Cape Cod” exhibit opened at Heritage in 2022 and, due to popular demand, remained on view for the 2023 season as well. The exhibit catalog was published in 2023 and is available for sale through the museum shop at Heritage. The oral history videos were started in 2022, augmented in 2023, and are available for viewing on the Heritage YouTube channel found at https://hmg.social/Creating-Cape-Cod-Playlist.
"We are incredibly proud to receive the Award of Excellence for our ‘Creating Cape Cod’ special project," said Anne Scott-Putney, President & CEO of Heritage Museums & Gardens. "These recognitions underscore our commitment to preserving and sharing the rich history of Cape Cod. We hope the exhibit, catalog, and oral history videos have inspired and educated visitors about the unique cultural and historical heritage of this remarkable region."
“The Creating Cape Cod project would not have been possible without the assistance of many others,” remarked Jennifer Y. Madden, Director of Collections and Exhibitions at Heritage. “We collaborated with fifty-eight organizations including historical societies, museums, archives, and conservation organizations, as well as business owners and private collectors to make this project a reality. Thanks in particular to those that agreed to be interviewed for the oral history videos that made this project special, as well as SmokeSygnals, a Mashpee-based Native-owned exhibit development firm.”
Heritage Museums & Gardens is committed to continuing its mission of preserving and interpreting history through innovative and engaging programs and exhibits. These awards highlight the institution's role as a leader in the field and a vital resource for historical education.
For more information about Heritage Museums & Gardens and its programs, please visit heritagemuseums.org.
About Heritage Museums & Gardens:
Heritage Museums & Gardens is set on 100 stunning acres of gardens, nature trails, and open spaces. It is the only place where you can browse through rare works of art, stroll through stunning gardens, and see iconic antique automobiles all in one day. Explore Hidden Hollow™, an interactive outdoor discovery area for kids of all ages. Take a ride on the vintage carousel. And find your own special spot on Cape Cod.