James Madison's Montpelier We The People Spring 2018 WTP_Spring_2018_FINAL_web | Page 7
SPRING 2018
THE MERE DISTINCTION OF COLOUR
WINS MULTIPLE AWARDS
The National Council on Public History (NCPH) has announced that
Montpelier’s permanent slavery exhibition, The Mere Distinction of
Colour, has won its 2018 Outstanding Public History Project Award.
This award is presented for work completed within the previous two
calendar years that contributes to a broader public reflection and
appreciation of the past or that serves as a model of professional public
history practice.
“We are honored that NCPH sees ‘The Mere Distinction of Colour’ as
setting a national standard for public history projects,” said Montpelier
President and CEO Kat Imhoff. “Our job is to engage people with
history in a way that helps them connect the past to the present.
Understanding slavery is crucial to understanding our world today, and
the award reflects that.”
“We share this honor with the descendant community,” said
Montpelier Vice President for Museum Programs Elizabeth Chew.
“We hope the exhibition does justice to their ancestors’ courage, hope,
and determination and helps Americans understand the legacies of
slavery in our society today in addition to illuminating the struggles
and achievements of their ancestors.”
The NCPH Outstanding Public History Project prize for The Mere
Distinction of Colour specifically recognized the collaboration of
Elizabeth Chew and Director of Education and Visitor Engagement
Christian Cotz, in addition to the exhibition designers Chris
Danemayer of Proun Design LLC and Molly O’Brien of Northern
Light Productions.
Subsequent to garnering the NCPH award, Montpelier learned
that The Mere Distinction of Colour won two American Alliance
of Museums (AAM) MUSE awards, recognizing outstanding
achievement in Galleries, Libraries, Archives, or Museums (GLAM)
media. The international Alliance Media & Technology Professional
Network’s annual awards are presented to institutions or independent
producers who use digital media to enhance the GLAM experience
and engage audiences. The MUSE awards celebrate scholarship,
community, innovation, creativity, education, and inclusiveness.
The Mere Distinction of Colour won for both “Legacies of Slavery”
in the Video category and “Fate in the Balance” in the Multimedia
Installations category. AAM offers Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards,
but Montpelier will not know the levels it achieved until the awards
ceremony takes place in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 6.
Visitor watches the multimedia piece
“Fate in the Balance” in The Mere
Distinction of Colour exhibition.
VISIT US: ENSLAVED
COMMUNITY WALKING
TOURS
CONTACT VISITOR SERVICES AT
540.672.2728 x141
ENSLAVED COMMUNITY WALKING
TOUR | Twice daily through October
Visit the sites where multiple generations
of individuals enslaved at Montpelier
lived, loved, and labored, and learn about
the human experiences of those to whom
liberty was denied.
JOURNEY FROM SLAVERY TO
FREEDOM | June 10, July 8, August 12,
September 9, October 14
Visit sites and original structures that
bring to life the generations of enslaved
individuals who lived at Montpelier.
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