FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2025
CONTACT
Lauren Craig
Aja Bain, AASLH
Director of Professional Development and Publications
615-320-3203
abain@aaslh.org
Newport Historical Society Wins National Award of Excellence
A Name, A Voice, A Life Exhibition Honored by the American Association for State and Local History
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) announced today that the Newport Historical Society is the recipient of an Award of Excellence for their 2024 exhibition, A Name, A Voice, A Life: The Black Newporters of the 17th-19th Centuries.
The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 80th year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.
“After an incredible community response and reception to this exhibition, which centered the experiences and contributions of Black Newporters in our historic city, it is so exciting to earn national recognition from an esteemed leader in the field,” said Rebecca Bertrand, executive director of the Newport Historical Society. “We are grateful to the AASLH for this honor and for continuing to protect, preserve, and champion the centuries of stories that have defined our nation.”
On display at the Richard I. Burnham Resource Center from May to November 2024, A Name, A Voice, a Life explored the experiences of Black Newporters whose stories were recovered as part of Voices from the NHS Archives, an expansive four-year research project. The database and exhibition were also foundational to the launch of a capital campaign to transform the 328-year-old Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House into the Edward W. Kane & Martha J. Wallace Center for Black History.
Work on the Center is underway, with an opening planned for summer 2026, in conjunction with the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
“As the semiquincentennial approaches, the work of the NHS to make history come alive is more important than ever. This award helps amplify our efforts and puts us in distinguished company with some of the greatest historians and preservationists across the country. Congratulations to Rebecca and the entire NHS team on designing an extraordinary exhibition that sparked conversation and engaged our entire community,” said Doug Newhouse, chair of the Board of Directors.
This year, AASLH confers 54 national awards 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 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.
The American Association for State and Local History is a not-for-profit professional organization of individuals and institutions working to preserve and promote history. From its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, AASLH provides leadership, service, and support for its members who preserve and interpret state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful to all people. AASLH publishes books, technical publications, a quarterly magazine, and maintains numerous affinity communities and committees serving a broad range of constituents across the historical community. The association also sponsors an annual meeting, regional and national training in-person workshops, and online training.