Pittsburgh, PA – Tuesday, May 21, 2024 – The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, today as one of five museum recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. Over the past 30 years, the award has celebrated institutions that are making a difference for individuals, families, and communities.
“IMLS is delighted to announce the 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service,” said IMLS Acting Director Cyndee Landrum. “These institutions and their dedicated staff are stepping up to anticipate and meet the needs of their individual communities. From New York to Arizona, these 10 recipients are unparalleled sources of education, health, jobs, and cultural resources, bridging the gaps of distance, resources, and experience for community members. We look forward to honoring their accomplishments in Washington, DC, this summer!”
For the past 130 years, Phipps has excelled in connecting people to the beauty of nature. In recent decades, the Conservatory has evolved into one of the cultural sector’s leading advocates for advancing green-building practices, sustainable gardening, environmental awareness and climate action. Today, Phipps’ history serves as a platform to demonstrate that people, plants, health, planet and beauty are inextricably connected, and that sustainable actions — from the construction of some of the world’s greenest buildings to the planning of backyard raised vegetable gardens — are key to ensuring that these critical interconnections are harmonious, mutually beneficial, healthy and preserved for future generations.
There are over 35,000 museums in the United States. Phipps was selected from 30 national finalists; the 10 recipients of the 2024 National Medal for Museum and Library Service (five museums, five libraries) represent institutions that provide dynamic programming and services that exceed expected levels of service. Through their community outreach, these institutions bring about change that touches the lives of individuals and helps communities thrive.
“Phipps Conservatory is honored to be a 2024 recipient of the National Medal which will encourage us to continue improving the wellbeing of local communities and inspire national and international partners to do the same within their institutions,” says Phipps President and CEO Richard Piacentini. “We will remain dedicated to demonstrating that people, plants, health, planet and beauty are inextricably connected by advancing horticultural display, green-building practices, sustainable gardening, environmental awareness and climate action.”
The award will be presented at a ceremony this summer in Washington, DC. For a complete list of 2024 recipients and to learn more about the National Medal awardees, visit the IMLS website.
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About the Institute of Museum and Library Services: The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
About Phipps: Founded in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, PA is a globally recognized green leader with a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Encompassing 15 acres including a historic 14-room glasshouse, 23 distinct indoor and outdoor gardens and industry-leading sustainable architecture and operations, Phipps attracts more than half a million visitors annually from around the world. Learn more at phipps.conservatory.org.
Watch TEDx: What We Can Learn From an Old Glasshouse: A look at the evolving way we connect people to nature at Phipps, demonstrate how human and environmental health are inextricably connected, and show that to age gracefully, we must continually reinvent ourselves to evolve with the rest of the world.
