Kentucky Historical Society
KHS Assistant Director Receives Award for Outstanding Contributions

Frankfort, KY (December 15, 2008) – Marilyn A. Zoidis, assistant director of the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS), was honored on Saturday in a ceremony at the Bolling Air Force Base Officers’ Club in Washington, D.C. Zoidis received recognition for her accomplishments as a curator and director in the museum profession, including her service as senior curator of the Smithsonian Institution’s Star-Spangled Banner Restoration Project.

A native of Bangor, Maine, Zoidis was presented with the Big “M” Award by the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C.  This award has been presented since 1963 to Maine natives or people with a connection to the state to recognize outstanding contributions and service and for attaining the highest level of achievement in regional, state, or national affairs, projects, or programs.

At KHS, Zoidis oversees exhibition development, collections development, and the organization’s education division. Most recently, she was instrumental in the development of the state’s signature Abraham Lincoln exhibition in honor of the Lincoln Bicentennial, Beyond the Log Cabin: Kentucky’s Abraham Lincoln.

From 1999 to 2006, Zoidis served as the senior curator of the Star-Spangled Banner Restoration Project at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. In that position, she was involved in exhibition planning, collections development, educational activities, and conservation decisions for the Star-Spangled Banner – the flag that survived the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor during the War of 1812 and inspired the writing of the National Anthem.

Trained as a social and cultural historian, Zoidis has studied the history and meaning of the American flag and other patriotic symbols. She is a graduate of the University of Maine and a former public school history teacher. Zoidis holds an advanced degree in education from the University of Maine and a master’s degree in American history from Carnegie Mellon. She has spent 15 years in the museum profession as a curator and director.

Marilyn Zoidis brings “insight, intellect, and integrity to everything she does at KHS,” said Kent Whitworth, executive director. “Her insight as a gifted administrator and trusted colleague has been invaluable. She always chooses what is best for our organization and our beloved profession – whether people are looking or not – which is the true measure of integrity.”

-30-

An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Historical Society, since 1836, has provided connections to the past, perspective on the present, and inspiration for the future.  KHS operates the Old State Capitol, the Kentucky Military History Museum, and its headquarters, the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History.   Since 1999, the thirty-million-dollar Center has welcomed more than one million visitors.   For more information about the Kentucky Historical Society and its programs, visit the Web site at www.history.ky.gov.