Railroad Museum selected to Participate in National Museum Assessment Program

The Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District, a railroad museum based in Sioux City, has been selected to participate in the Museum Assessment Program (MAP) administered by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services and the American Association of Museums.

Through guided self-study and on-site consultation with a museum professional, participation in MAP will empower the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District to better serve the citizens of Sioux City by facilitating its meeting and exceeding the highest professional standards of the museum field.

During Memorial Day weekend, a peer reviewer from the American Association of Museums (AAM) will visit the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District. Peer reviewers are museum professionals who volunteer their time to review self-assessment materials, conduct site visits, and write reports. Scott Becker from the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum has been assigned by the AAM as the peer reviewer for the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District.

MAP is a confidential process of self-study, peer review and implementation. Museums use the assessment process to strengthen operations, build capacity, and enhance communication throughout the organization and in response to community needs.

Participant museums choose one of three categories for its assessment: Collections Stewardship Organizational, Community Engagement. The railroad museum will take part in the Community Engagement assessment process. Small and mid-sized museums of all types, including art, history, science and technology, children’s, natural history, historic houses, nature centers, botanical gardens, and zoos participate in the program.

MAP is a self-motivated program; application to and participation in MAP is initiated by each institution, and those accepted invest considerable human and institutional resources into the assessment.

“Choosing to be part of the MAP program is indicative of the commitment to civic involvement, public service and overall excellence on the part of the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District,” said Ford W. Bell, president of AAM. “Studies have shown America’s museums to be among the country’s most trusted and valued institutions. MAP is designed to make them even better.”