The Fort Worth Botanic Garden has been awarded one of the nation’s highest museum honors, making it a part of a “small elite group of institutions nationwide,” according to the city of Fort Worth.
The garden earned accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, a nonprofit that sets standards for museums and helps with advocacy and resources.
The city of Fort Worth announced the accreditation on Tuesday, saying it’s “the highest national honor a museum can receive.”
According to Fort Worth, only around 1,100 of the 33,000 museums in the nation are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
In celebration of the accomplishment the Botanic Garden will offer buy-one-get-one-free admission in August. Tickets for this offer must be purchased at the garden and are not available online.
Botanic Garden President and CEO Patrick Newman said this accreditation is more than just a credential, but it reflects years of hard work.
“It tells our community, our partners and every visitor who walks through our gates that Fort Worth Botanic Garden meets the highest standards in our field,” he said.
The Botanic Garden joins the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Sid Richardson Museum in earning the accreditation.
The American Alliances of Museums recognizes the Botanic Garden as a “specialized museum.” It is honored for its “distinct focus on living plant collections, conservation, and public education,” according to the city of Fort Worth.
The city said the Fort Worth Botanic Garden works in those areas as well as with its research partner, the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, is what qualified it to pursue accreditation.