Award marks second award for the museum (following its win of the Silver Muse award*)
May 29, 2019 (Boise, Idaho) – Lexington, a brand of The Companies of Nassal, is proud to announce that the Idaho State Museum received the American Association for State and Local History’s (AASLH) highest accolade, the 2019 Award of Excellence, for its exhibit, “Idaho: The Land and Its People.” The AASLH Leadership in History Awards is the nation’s most prestigious competition for recognition of achievement in state and local history.
Museum administrator Liz Hobson noted, “This accolade is another representation of all the purpose, thought, and research that went into not only making the Idaho State Museum an extension of Idaho’s history, but an essential educational resource for all Idahoans.”
The exhibit itself examines how Idaho’s unique landscapes have shaped, and continue to shape, the state’s shared experience. Four guiding principles were followed for this exhibit: 1) People and the land shape each other; 2) History is made by people, people make decisions that have consequences; 3) Historical decisions made in the past are relevant to contemporary life, our decisions will impact the future; and 4) Idaho’s story has a regional and national context.
The entire process from conception through installation and commissioning was very much a collaborative effort between the design-build team lead by Lexington, including Andrew Merriell and Associates; the Richard Lewis Media Group; Electrosonic; the Idaho State Historical Society staff; subject matter 
experts; feedback from diverse communities throughout Idaho; a teacher advisory group; museum visitors; and statewide stakeholders.
“We’re so proud we were able to participate in the incredible renovation of the Idaho State Museum,” said Michael Shearin, Director of Design at Lexington, “There was so much passion and hard work that went into each and every exhibit, and this award is just one way that work has been recognized. The people of Idaho are also experiencing the fruits of those efforts every day, and for that we are grateful.”
The Idaho State Historical Society staff will receive the award at a special banquet during the 2019 AASLH Annual Meeting in Philadelphia on Friday, August 30, 2019. Exhibit photos shown below.
For more information contact: Melissa Ruminot, (407) 648-0400 or Lisa Jey Schanley, (818) 485-8892.
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ABOUT LEXINGTON
Lexington, a brand of the Companies of Nassal, is an award-winning scenic fabricator with offices in Los Angeles, CA and Orlando, FL. We specialize in exhibit fabrication and scenic environments for museums, cultural destinations, retail, dining, entertainment, and hotels. As a newer addition to the Companies of Nassal family, our core culture extends coast-to-coast and is found among our dedicated, and talented artisans and craftsmen. We bring the financial-stability of the Companies of Nassal, combined with our stellar reputation for a strong work ethic, creative atmosphere, and commitment to deliver the best, most iconic projects in the world. www.builtbylexington.com #BuildAuthentic
ABOUT THE AASLH AWARDS
The AASLH awards program was initiated in 1945 to establish and encourage standards of excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout the United States. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards not only honor significant achievement in the field of state and local history, but also bring public recognition of the opportunities for small and large organizations, institutions, and programs to make contributions in this arena. For more information about the Leadership in History Awards, contact AASLH at 615-320-3203, or go to www.aaslh.org.
ABOUT THE IDAHO STATE MUSEUM
The Idaho State Museum reopened to the public in October 2018, following a 4-year renovation and expansion. The Museum shares how Idaho’s unique landscapes have shaped, and continue to shape, our experience. Since its reopening, the Museum has welcomed over 27,000 visitors. The Idaho State Museum is open Monday–Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sunday noon-5pm. For more information about the Museum, contact Liz Hobson, Museum Administrator, at 208-780-5186 or visit history.idaho.gov/museum.
*The Silver Muse Award was given to the Idaho State Museum at the 2019 American Alliance of Museums Conference in New Orleans, LA, May, 2019