(Wilmington, Del., Nov. 1, 2023) — Nemours Estate, one of Delaware’s most iconic historic gems, is thrilled to announce that it has been honored with the inaugural Making an Impact Award for 2023 by the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums (MAAM). This prestigious award recognizes Nemours Estate’s excellence in programming and its outstanding contributions to the community.
The Making an Impact Award recognizes cultural institutions for developing either a program, exhibition, or special project that displays responsiveness and resourcefulness which has resulted in a positive impact on their communities. Nemours Estate received this award for its work with children, families, and hospital associates of Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware with whom they share a campus and legacy.
In cooperation with the Nemours Children’s Hospital Department of Weight Management, Nemours Estate designed, installed, and maintained a large container garden in an otherwise underutilized concrete courtyard, using containers made of various repurposed materials to grow fruits and vegetables. This effort evolved into the Can Grow Garden, which now features raised and accessible planting beds outside of the hospital’s cafeteria. Produce from the Can Grow Garden is given away to patients and families of the hospital, and the garden space is used for interpretation, activities, and special events. Additionally, Nemours Estate has made admission to the Estate available to hospital patients and families free of charge for visits, support group meetings, retreats, picnics, and summer camps.
“We are deeply honored to receive the Making an Impact Award from the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums,” said Jean Hershner, Vice President, Nemours Estate. “The award is a reflection of Nemours Estate’s dedication to excellence in serving our special hospital community next door and in connecting all of our visitors to programming that inspires, educates, and supports a sense of wellbeing.
The Making an Impact Award from MAAM is a testament to the dedication, commitment, and transformative impact that Nemours Estate has made within the realm of museums and cultural institutions. This honor underscores Nemours Estate’s commitment to preserving the home and legacy of the Alfred I, duPont family, , connecting all generations to the power of the past, and assisting the community in ways that are unique to Nemours.
“I have seen personally how much of a positive impact the Nemours Estate gardeners make every day by maintaining the vegetable garden for our hospital community,” says Sara Narimanian, Child Life Program Coordinator, Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware Valley. “I have also seen their efforts to help combat food insecurity through the tomato handout program and love to see the positive interactions that the Estate staff get to have with patients…the Estate is always there for the hospital as a partner.”
For more information about the Nemours Estate and its initiatives, please visit Nemours Estate.
About the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums
The Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums (MAAM) is a not-for-profit membership organization founded in 1947 to represent museum professionals, organizations, institutions, museum service providers, and industry partners in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. MAAM provides a forum to enhance the image of museums and educate individuals on an array of field-specific study and programs.
MAAM’s sparks dialogue among museum and industry professionals to build sustainable and inclusive museums for their communities. MAAM brings together the resources of the Mid-Atlantic’s cultural community and makes them available to its members through conferences, symposia, and workshops. MAAM’s programming evolves with the needs of the field, with two major events each year. MAAM’s Annual Meeting is a member-driven forum to share ideas and allow for opportunities to network and connect. MAAM’s Building Museums ™ Symposium is unique among museum conferences in offering programming tailored for those who plan or implement new construction, renovation, or expansion projects for museums.
About Nemours Children’s Health
Nemours Children’s Health is one of the nation’s largest multistate pediatric health systems, which includes two free-standing children's hospitals and a network of more than 70 primary and specialty care practices. Nemours Children's seeks to transform the health of children by adopting a holistic health model that utilizes innovative, safe, and high-quality care, while also caring for the health of the whole child beyond medicine. Nemours Children's also powers the world’s most-visited website for information on the health of children and teens, Nemours KidsHealth.org.
The Nemours Foundation, established through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, provides pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy, and prevention programs to the children, families and communities it serves. For more information, visit Nemours.org
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