Latest News
Hastings Museum receives highest national recognition in reaccreditation process
The Hastings Museum 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, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. The Hastings Museum regained accreditation in 2011 after a lapse of 14 years. 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.
“Our community can trust that their municipal museum is being operated with integrity, accountability, and a deep commitment to serving the public,” said Mikayla Wright, Marketing & PR Director for Hastings Museum. “Earning reaccreditation reflects years of hard work from our staff, leadership, and boards to uphold the highest professional standards in the museum field. The Hastings Museum is truly a treasure in our community, and we are proud to continue providing meaningful experiences and resources for the citizens of Hastings and visitors from around the world.”
“This was my first accreditation process as Museum Director, and it gave me an even greater appreciation for the level of dedication, collaboration, and professionalism required to achieve this honor,” said Teresa Kreutzer-Hodson, Museum Director. “The process challenged us to closely evaluate every aspect of our operations and confirmed that our efforts are making a real impact. It shows that we are doing things right, that our long-term goals and vision are moving in the right direction, and that our commitment to excellence continues to benefit our community. I am deeply grateful to our staff, the Hastings Museum Board, the Hastings Museum Foundation Board, and the City of Hastings for their support and guidance throughout this process. Together, we are ensuring Hastings Museum remains an invaluable anchor in the community for generations to come.”
Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, roughly 1,100 are currently accredited. The Hastings Museum is one of only 16 museums accredited in Nebraska. According to statistics compiled by the Alliance, only five percent of accredited museums are municipal (city-funded ) museums, making this recognition especially significant for the Hastings Museum and the community it serves.
Accreditation is a very rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation, a museum first must conduct a year of self -study and 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.”
Hastings Museum sparks curiosity, invites exploration , and tells the ongoing story of Central Nebraska through its dynamic exhibits, educational programming, planetarium, and preservation of regional history and culture. Located in Hastings, Nebraska, the Museum serves residents and visitors of all ages through experiences that connect science, history, art, and community. For more information, visit HastingsMuseum.org.
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, they 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.
To arrange interviews or to l earn more , please contact Marketing & PR Director, Mikayla Wright, at mwright@cityofhastings.org or (40 2)-461-2399.
Published Date: 05/22/2026