The Virginia Living Museum’s "Survivor: Jamestown" exhibition has received an Award of Merit from the AASLH (American Association for State and Local History) Leadership in History Awards. This is the second national award for the exhibition, which was created by the VLM in collaboration with Minotaur Mazes of Seattle, Wash.

The AASLH Leadership in History Awards, now in its 64th year, is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history. Awards for 2009 represent 59 organizations and individuals from across the United States.

"The Virginia Living Museum is proud of its role in creating this award-winning traveling exhibition about the natural history and historical experience of Jamestown 1607," said VLM Deputy Director Fred Farris. "Survivor: Jamestown's unique blend of science and history has now been recognized nationally by both a leading science (ASTC) and historical (AALSH) association.

The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) awarded the exhibition the Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Award for "extraordinary accomplishments in visitor experience that significantly advances the mission of science-technology centers and museums."

"Survivor: Jamestown is a fun, engaging experience that draws visitors right into the 1607 environment of Virginia. The VLM is proud to have been a part of this exhibit's creation in support of America's 400th anniversary. The Jamestown 1607 experience can now be shared across the nation as this exhibit travels to museums and education centers," said Farris, who was in charge of creating the exhibit with Minotaur Mazes.

"Survivor: Jamestown" premiered at the Newport News museum in 2007. It is scheduled to open at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana in February. Its creation was financed by a grant from the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network.

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. 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 Virginia Living Museum is a private non-profit museum and education center that has been in operation since 1966. The museum is located at 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News, I64, exit 258A.

For more information call 757-595-1900 or visit the web site at www.thevlm.org.

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