For Immediate Release

American Association for State and Local History Announces Resignation of Terry Davis, President and CEO

Nashville, TN—The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), the only national organization dedicated to state and local history, has announced the resignation of Terry Davis as President and Chief Executive Officer, a position she held for twenty years. Bob Beatty, currently Vice President for Programs, is serving as Interim President and CEO while AASLH council conducts a search to fill the position.

“We are tremendously grateful for Terry’s two decades of dynamic leadership,” said Lynne Ireland, AASLH council chair and deputy director of the Nebraska State Historical Society. “As we approach 75 years of providing a ‘home for history’ that now includes national advocacy, training, technical resources and online communities, we are thankful for the foundation Terry helped to build. We’re excited to begin the next chapter for AASLH.”

Throughout her tenure, Davis has contributed to AASLH’s success and positioned the association as a strong, vibrant advocate for history practitioners. Over the past two decades, AASLH has grown and maintained one of the most loyal membership groups in the field, serving over 6,000 individual and institutional members across the country. Davis also was instrumental in aligning AASLH with national partners and associations to improve museum standards, advocate for increased funding for the field, and educate federal agencies on the unique needs of history organizations.

“The past 20 years have been the best years of my professional life,” Davis said. “The staff and volunteers that work in America’s history organizations are an inspiration to us all. I want to thank everyone for their support of me and AASLH over these many years. I will never forget this fabulous experience.”

About AASLH:

AASLH has provided leadership and support for its members who preserve and interpret state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful to all Americans since 1940. AASLH is the only national association dedicated to the uniqueness of history organizations and the specific challenges of collecting, preserving, and interpreting history. Our membership includes over 6,000 individuals and institutions from rural communities, urban sites, small historical societies, and large history centers across the United States. For this diverse membership, AASLH offers programs and services that meet members’ needs while progressively advancing the goals and standards of the field of state and local history. From its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, AASLH is proud to provide a home for those who work and volunteer in the field of state and local history. For more information, visit aaslh.org.

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