The Salvation Army Central Territory Museum Received A 2023 AASLH Award of Excellence
Recently, The Salvation Army Central Territory Museum was recognized with an Award of Excellence by the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) for the exhibit Perspectives. The Award of Excellence is part of the AASLH Leadership in History Awards, the country’s most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation of state and local history. The AASLH awards committee was “...impressed by the breadth and depth of the project: providing onsite and online exhibitions, utilizing a multi-lingual platform, reaching out to your entire 11 state territory, launching an oral history project, and adding to your archival collection.”
Perspectives encourages visitors to examine different beliefs, thoughts, and feelings through the stories of dozens of Salvation Army officers, soldiers, and employees from around the Central Territory. The exhibit also looks at how Salvation Army corps, which are often located in marginalized communities, positively impact local neighborhoods through programs and services designed to meet the specific needs of adults, families, and children. The exhibit recognizes the history of and diversity within The Salvation Army. Using personal narratives, photographs, video and artifacts, Perspectives reflects that we are all created equal in God’s eyes with the idea that God sees color, God made color, and color is beautiful.
When asked about the importance of Perspectives, Secretary for Business Administration Lt. Colonel David Harvey said, “The Salvation Army has been fighting against racism, injustice, and poverty for over 150 years. This exhibit will continue to teach current and future generations to continue to love all people as children of God.”
Perspectives is presented as an in-person exhibit at The Salvation Army Central Territory Headquarters located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. It’s open to the public and available in both English and Spanish. It is also available online at sacentralmuseum.org/perspectives.
The Salvation Army Central Territory Museum is humbled to be among 51 recipients of the 2023 Awards of Excellence which is a national award honoring people, projects, and exhibits. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history. 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.
Perspectives has already received an Award of Excellence from the Illinois Association of Museums (IAM). The Central Territory Museum has previously received awards from IAM for exhibits and special programs. This is the museum’s first award from AASLH.
The Central Territory Museum is located in the Central Territory Headquarters building at 5550 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, IL. The museum is open by appointment Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm. Please call 847-294-2136 or email USC.THQ.Museum@USC.Salvationarmy.org to schedule a tour. The digital museum is always open at sacentralmuseum.org/perspectives.