NHMU Receives Highest National Recognition

Awarded Re-Accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums  

SALT LAKE CITY, March 20, 2025 – The Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU) has again achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded to the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. NHMU has been continuously accredited since 1972. All museums must undergo a reaccreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain accredited status.   

Alliance Accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for over fifty years, the Alliance’s museum accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation, and public accountability. It strengthens the museum profession by promoting practices that enable leaders to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely, and remain financially and ethically accountable to provide the best possible service to the public.  

"We are incredibly honored to be awarded reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums,” said the Sarah B. George Executive Director, Jason Cryan, Ph.D. “This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in preserving and sharing the natural and cultural history of Utah. Accreditation reinforces that we follow the best museum practices, allowing us to serve our community with integrity and innovation, while recognizing our identity as the state of Utah’s natural history museum, and as part of the University of Utah. It is a testament to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and community supporters who make NHMU a place of discovery and inspiration for all."  

Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, roughly 1,100 are currently accredited. NHMU is one of only six accredited museums in Utah.   

Accreditation is a rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation, a museum first must conduct a comprehensive self-study, then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. AAM’s Accreditation Commission, an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals, considers the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation.  

“Accreditation is a monumental achievement,” said Marilyn Jackson, AAM President & CEO. “The process demonstrates an institution’s commitment to best practice and is flexible enough to be accomplished by museums of any size.” 

About the Natural History Museum of Utah    

The Natural History Museum of Utah is one of the leading scientific research and cultural institutions in the country. Established in 1963, the museum’s 10 permanent exhibitions are anchored by its state-of-the-art collections and research facilities containing almost 2 million objects. These collections are used in studies on geological, biological, and cultural diversity, and the history of living systems and human cultures within the Utah region. The museum hosts approximately 300,000 general visitors a year and provides one of the most spectacular private event settings in the Salt Lake City area. NHMU also broadens the reach of its mission through a variety of science-based outreach programs to communities and schools throughout Utah, reaching every school district in the state every other year.  

About the American Alliance of Museums 

The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is the only organization representing the entire museum field, from art and history museums to science centers and zoos. Since 1906, we have been championing museums through advocacy and providing museum professionals with the resources, knowledge, inspiration, and connections they need to move the field forward. For more information, visit aam-us.org. 

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