In recognition of AAM's Centennial, the United States Congress declared 2006 the Year of the Museum, a special year to recognize the contributions that museums have made to American culture and life over the past 100 years.

This nationally-recognized event created a platform for museum professionals to remind stakeholders of the many ways that museums enrich lives and communities, capturing both the attention and the imagination of policy makers, funders, and the public.

Museums that participated in the Year of the Museum were part of a national effort to bring together the collective voice of the museum field to encourage Americans to experience, celebrate and support the museums in their communities.

From the archive:

- Watch a clip from the public television special, Riches, Rivals and Radicals: 100 Years of Museums (10MB QT)

- View a list of the museums that participated in this event.

- Read the resolutions passed by Congress and states to honor the Year of the Museum:

House Resolution              State and community resolutions

Senate Resolution