The History Leadership Institute is the best professional development opportunity for mid-career professionals at history organizations of all types and sizes. Since 1959, the HLI seminar has helped history professionals at all management levels develop the tools, ideas, and connections they need to enhance their ability to lead institutions and the field.

Through a combination of virtual and in-person meetings, a cohort of about twenty fellows dive deep into a broad range of current and future national issues facing the history and museum field, including purpose, relevance, impact, community engagement, facilitating change, and much, much more. Through workshops, discussions, activities, and site visits facilitated by dozens of nationally-recognized experts working on the field’s leading edge, HLI Fellows tackle the most pressing challenges confronting history institutions and develop strategies for addressing them.

2025's seminar will take place on-site at the Minnesota Historical Society's Mill City Museum (Minneapolis, Minnesota) from June 16–27, 2025. Several shorter virtual sessions will take place in May, June, July, and September.
 

For additional details about the program, including dates, lodging, and costs, please visit https://aaslh.org/professional-development/history-leadership.

AASLH Award of Distinction

Preliminary Nominations Due: February 1, 2025

The Award of Distinction is AASLH's highest honor and given in recognition of long and distinguished service to the field. Given at the discretion of the AASLH Council, award winners are recognized nationally as leaders in the profession. Past winners include Lonnie G. Bunch III, Sandra Sageser Clark, John and Anita Durel, Janet Gallimore, and Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko.

The first step of the nomination process is submitting this form, which is received and discussed by a review committee before going forward with the process. Our committee will be in touch with next steps and further instructions after you submit this preliminary nomination.

Please note this is a confidential process and it is recommended that the nominee not be told about the nomination until it has been accepted.

AASLH Leadership in History Awards for Projects

Nominations Due: March 1, 2025

Before beginning the nomination process, you are strongly encouraged to contact your state or regional representatives to discuss the nomination. You can find their contact information here: https://aaslh.org/programs/leadership-in-history-awards-2
 

This is not the form for awards submissions for publications or individual lifetime achievement. Please submit those nominations through their appropriate forms.

AASLH Leadership in History Awards for Individual Lifetime Achievement

Nominations Due: March 1, 2025

Before beginning the nomination process, you are strongly encouraged to contact your AASLH state representative to discuss the nomination. You can find your representatives' contact information here:
https://aaslh.org/programs/leadership-in-history-awards-2/

These awards are for individuals, both career professionals (including retired) and volunteers, who have demonstrated exemplary contributions to or exceptional accomplishments for state and local history.  The individual's undertakings should advance their history organization and the field of history up and above the duties required for their regular job. An individual may be recognized for leadership, scholarship, or lifetime contributions. The individual does not need to be active on the national level, and may not receive the Award of Excellence more than once in five years. Individuals cannot self-nominate.


Please note this award is not made posthumously. Nominees must be living at the time of nomination.
 

AASLH Leadership in History Awards (Publications)

Nominations Due: March 1, 2025

AASLH is accepting submissions of short articles to be posted on our official blog. Specifically, we are seeking articles on issues and challenges facing history organizations and their staffs. Articles should be clear, concise, and offer obvious takeaways or suggestions. There is no deadline, and submissions are welcomed at any time. You can expect a response within two or three weeks. 

Here are ideas on what to write:

  • Takeaways from history organizations doing great work
  • Lessons learned from recent or ongoing projects at your organization
  • Tips on administration and leadership
  • Career advice and guidance for professionals in the field 
  • Unique takes on current trends (i.e. what’s the next Hamilton?)
  • Constructive reflections on the state of the field

Guidelines:

  • Length: 350-800 words
  • Posts should be in Chicago Style
  •  All submissions must include at least one landscape orientation photo with photo credit/caption
  •  Do not footnote; instead, provide URLs for references
  • Single space after sentences

Photos:

  • All submissions must include at least one landscape orientation photo
  • Two-three photos are ideal
  • Photos should at least 750 pixels wide
  • Photos should be free of any copyright restrictions; include attributions/ credit in the captions

Terms:

  • Articles should be original content that has not been published elsewhere
  • AASLH reserves the right to turn down any post that isn’t a good fit for the blog
  • AASLH is not required to use the photos submitted with the post if they are not a good fit; in that case, the blog editor will supply appropriate photos to go with the post
  • AASLH will adjust or replace titles as needed  for consistency and clarity and can make minor edits without author approval


Questions? Email Aja Bain at abain@aaslh.org

AASLH serves members working with and for all kinds of historical organizations. As we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, we will be focusing on reaching small museums and historical societies and on promoting inclusive history and inclusive practices. We invite our members to consider serving on Council (the organization’s board of trustees) or the Leadership Nominating Committee (LNC).  In these roles, you or a colleague can play a vital part in shaping the organization’s future. 

Nominate an AASLH member who is:

  • Passionate about history and its place in contemporary culture.
  • Connected to a network of peers in the field.
  • Willing to both speak their mind and work as a team.
  • Committed to innovation, inclusion, and experimentation.
  • Holds specific skills and expertise in areas of museum or history work.
  • Someone who believes they can make a difference.

You may nominate yourself or nominate a colleague for a position on either Council or for a position on the Leadership Nominating Committee.

Nominations are accepted year-round. For assistance, please contact AASLH at 615-320-3203 or abain@aaslh.org.

The following courses are part of AASLH’s Small Museum Pro! certificate program. If you have completed and passed five of the courses below, please submit this form to request your Small Museum Pro! certificate. 

  • CARING FOR MUSEUM COLLECTIONS
  • COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT
  • DEVELOPING EXHIBITIONS: PLANNING
  • DEVELOPING EXHIBITIONS: DESIGN
  • INTRODUCTION TO FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
  • LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION FOR HISTORY ORGANIZATIONS
  • MUSEUM EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

The AASLH book series connects the people engaged in history work to new questions, ideas, perspectives, and each other. By featuring news, current issues, trends, and best practices from throughout the history community, our books inform, inspire, challenge, and link together those who preserve and interpret the past.

We welcome book proposals dealing with all aspects of public history, including current trends, timely issues, and best practices for professional development and the overall improvement of the history field. We are especially interested in books that give a fresh perspective to traditional theories, in-depth case studies that reveal applicable and relevant concepts, and subject matter that has the ability to resonate throughout all levels of the field. Proposals are reviewed by the AASLH Editorial Advisory Committee, who may make suggestions for improvement and needed changes before approval. Once a proposal is approved, authors sign a contract with Rowman & Littlefield and are responsible for producing the work within 15-18 months.

AASLH reserves the right to reject material that is not consonant with the mission, values, or goals of the organization. Contact the book series editor Aja Bain with questions at abain@aaslh.org or 615-320-3203.

History News connects the people engaged in history work to new questions, ideas, perspectives, and each other. By featuring news, current issues, trends, and best practices from throughout the history community, it informs, inspires, challenges, and links together those who preserve and interpret the past.

We welcome article proposals dealing with all aspects of public history, including current trends, timely issues, and best practices for professional development and the overall improvement of the history field. We are especially interested in articles that give a fresh perspective to traditional theories, in-depth case studies that reveal applicable and relevant concepts, and subject matter that has the ability to resonate throughout all levels of the field. AASLH reserves the right to reject material that is not consonant with the mission, values, or goals of the organization.

Before committing to a full article, we ask that you submit an abstract here. In 300 words or less, outline the main points of your article and explain how it supports the AASLH mission. Please include your email address so we can follow up with you.

American Association for State and Local History