Johnson County Museum receives National AASLH Award of Excellence for Ripples: Water, Community, and You

For the second time in two months, the Johnson County Museum has received a national honor recognizing its innovative approach to community-centered history and civic engagement.

The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has named the Johnson County Museum a recipient of a 2026 Award of Excellence for Ripples: Water, Community, and You. The AASLH Leadership in History Awards are the nation's most prestigious recognition for achievement in the preservation and interpretation of state and local history.

The honor follows the museum's recent selection as a 2026 Museum Impact Award recipient from the American Alliance of Museums for REDLINED: Cities, Suburbs, and Segregation and the initiative's continued expansion through publications, professional education, community partnerships, and the Legacies of Redlining Summit.

Together, the awards recognize the museum's growing national leadership in using local history to help communities explore contemporary issues, strengthen civic dialogue, and shape a more informed future. The award marks the Johnson County Museum's 26th professional award and 10th national recognition since relocating to the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center in 2017. The distinction underscores the museum's emergence as a national leader in community-centered history, civic engagement, and innovative exhibition practice.

Ripples: Water, Community, and You explored the past, present, and future of water in Johnson County and the Kansas City region, using local history to help visitors better understand issues of water quality, infrastructure, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. Through immersive design, hands-on interactives, public programs, infrastructure tours, and regional summits, the special exhibition connected historical decisions to contemporary challenges and encouraged visitors to consider their role in shaping the future of water resources.

"This award recognizes the power of local history to help communities more deeply understand complex issues and make informed decisions about the future," said Johnson County Museum Director Dr. Mary McMurray. "With Ripples, we set out to show that water is more than a natural resource - it is a story about people, policy, infrastructure, and community. We are honored that AASLH recognized this work and proud that it was built through partnerships across Johnson County and the Kansas City region."

During its year-long run, Ripples reached more than 45,000 visitors and expanded far beyond the gallery. The exhibition featured programming including student tours, public lectures, wastewater treatment plant tours, a regional Water Resource Fair, a Water Summit for community leaders, and the inaugural Legacies of Redlining Summit, which explored the intersection of environmental justice and historic inequities. A companion publication and forthcoming digital adaptation will extend the project's reach and impact.

The exhibit was developed through extensive collaboration with environmental scientists, engineers, planners, conservationists, utilities, and public agencies. Key partners included Johnson County Wastewater, Johnson County Stormwater Management Program, WaterOne, the Kansas Water Office, and numerous community organizations. The exhibition also received generous support from Black & Veatch, Burns & McDonnell, HDR, TREKK Design Group, and The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County.

"Ripples was one of the most fascinating projects I've ever worked on," said Johnson County Museum Curator of Interpretation Andrew R. Gustafson.. "The research took me everywhere - from water treatment facilities and streamways to the Kansas Water Conference and conversations with scientists, engineers, conservationists, and public officials. Along the way, I learned how deeply water shapes our communities and how many dedicated people work every day to protect it. I'm grateful to the experts and partners who shared their time and knowledge with us. They transformed the way I think about water, and I hope this exhibition did the same for our visitors."

The project's success also reflected a broader commitment to partnership across public agencies and community organizations.

"Water connects every person, community, and landscape in our region, and Ripples helped people understand those connections in new ways," said Johnson County Park and Recreation District Executive Director Jeff Stewart,. "This exhibition reflects the very best of what JCPRD strives to do - bring people together, foster stewardship, and improve quality of life through education and engagement. By combining the museum's storytelling expertise with the knowledge of water professionals in JCPRD, Johnson County Government, environmental organizations, and public agencies across the region, Ripples transformed a complicated topic into an experience that inspired learning, conversation, and action. We are honored that important work was recognized nationally."

Letters supporting the award nomination praised Ripples as a model for translating technical systems into meaningful public learning experiences. Partners highlighted the exhibition's success in strengthening environmental literacy, fostering civic dialogue, and helping residents better understand the infrastructure and natural resources that shape their quality of life. Several organizations noted that the project has inspired conversations about similar museum-agency partnerships in communities across the country.

The award will be presented during the AASLH Annual Conference in Providence, R.I., on Sept. 18.

This year, AASLH will confer 42 national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits, and publications that represent the highest standards of excellence in the field of state and local history.

About the Johnson County Museum

Part of the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center in Overland Park, Kan., this award-winning museum occupies the former King Louie West ice-skating rink. The space sets the stage for its signature exhibit, "Becoming Johnson County," where visitors journey through the county's agricultural roots, suburban growth, and evolution into a diverse, thriving community.

The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, reflecting the highest standards of excellence and public service.

The museum offers quarterly Free Days to ensure broad community access. Learn more and plan your visit here: JCPRD.com/Museum.

About AASLH

The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) is a national nonprofit association providing leadership and resources to help the history community thrive and make the past more meaningful for all people. Through research, advocacy, and professional development, AASLH supports the thousands of organizations and professionals dedicated to preserving and interpreting history across the United States.