The Durham Museum will receive the 2012 Award of Merit form the American Association for State and Local History.
Shawna Forsberg, Durham Marketing Director, says the award is for the museum’s distance learning initiative. She says the program began in 2007 when the Durham opened its new lecture hall.
At the time the hall was built, the museum had technology installed that allows up to five locations to have a conversation. Forsberg says the museum may either bring people in to watch lectures from other locations, or the museum may present lectures in the hall, or send them out.
She says curriculum currently offered include Train Robbers of the Old West and Transcontinental Railroad. Forsberg says there are new programs underway as well.
"One that’s about architecture because the Durham sits in one of the most beautiful examples of Art Deco in the country. We also tie into specific things that are here, as far as exhibits go. So right now, during Mindbender Mansion, we are actually able to go into the exhibit with remote cameras and do hands on learning, science and math projects with folks as well."
To date, the museum has presented nearly 500 distance learning sessions to more than 16,000 participants across the U.S. This fall, the Durham will offer live remotes from its American Soldier Exhibit.
More information is available at durhammuseum.org.