CHARLOTTE, NC (SEPTEMBER 2, 2025) – Discovery Place has again achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for a museum in the United States. This recognition affirms Discovery Place’s continued commitment to excellence, accountability and the highest professional standards in the museum field.

Of the estimated 33,000 museums across the country, only about 1,100 are currently accredited. Science and technology museums make up just 3% of this elite group and children’s museums represent fewer than 1%.

The museums in Discovery Place’s network—Discovery Place Science, Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville, Discovery Place Kids-Rockingham and the former Discovery Place Nature—are among just 28 museums in North Carolina to hold accredited status.

“Being reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums is a tremendous honor and a reflection of the hard work, dedication and passion of Discovery Place’s employees, board members and volunteers,” said Catherine Wilson Horne, Discovery Place President & CEO. “This achievement reaffirms our deep connection to the communities we serve and commitment to providing meaningful, high-quality experiences for learners of all ages.”

Discovery Place has maintained AAM accreditation since 1973, reaffirming its dedication to continuous improvement and its mission to bring science, nature and design together to create transformative experiences that enable the community to understand, enjoy and apply science to their lives.

The AAM accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation and public accountability. It strengthens the museum profession by promoting practices that enable leaders to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely and remain financially and ethically accountable to provide the best possible service to the public. All museums must undergo a reaccreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain accredited status.

Accreditation is a very rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation, a museum first must conduct a year of self-study and then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. AAM’s Accreditation Commission, an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals, considers the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation.

“Accreditation is a monumental achievement,” said Marilyn Jackson, AAM President & CEO. “The process demonstrates an institution’s commitment to best practice and is flexible enough to be accomplished by museums of any size.”

About Discovery Place
Discovery Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the leading hub for science learning in the Carolinas dedicated to the exchange of ideas, scientific exploration and creative expression to stimulate innovative problem-solving and learning. Discovery Place’s network includes four distinct museum experiences—Discovery Place Science, Charlotte Museum of Nature (opening in 2026), Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville and Discovery Place Kids-Rockingham. For more information about Discovery Place, visit discoveryplace.org.

About the American Alliance of Museums
The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is the only organization representing the entire museum field, from art and history museums to science centers and zoos. Since 1906, we have been championing museums through advocacy and providing museum professionals with the resources, knowledge, inspiration, and connections they need to move the field forward. For more information, visit aam-us.org.