BELFAST – In a few years, thousands of history museums and organizations across the country will benefit from a new national program to be tested by the Belfast Historical Society and Museum.

The Belfast Historical Society and Museum has been selected as one of six New England museums, and 45 nationally, to participate in a pilot project for the development of national standards for small- and medium-sized history organizations.

The program, Standards for History Museums and History Organizations, is being developed by the American Association for State and Local History, headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. Funding for the project was provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a primary source of federal support for museums and libraries.

Working with the New England Museum Association based in Arlington, Mass., the museum will focus on a project related to the audience research section of the standards. NEMA will help the Belfast Historical Society obtain the training and other resources needed to successfully complete its project by the end of September.

“This is a real honor,” said society president Megan Pinette, “and a recognition of our efforts to achieve museum excellence.”

When introduced to museums nationwide in mid-2009, the new standards program will provide small to midsize history organizations with the information and resources to learn more about national museum standards.

For information about the historical society and museum, visit belfastmuseum.org.