The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House’s Executive Director Amanda Shores Davis has been awarded the Gearhart Professional Service Award from Preservation Maryland.

The Gearhart Professional Service Award is presented to an individual who is employed as a professional by a historic preservation organization, agency, or academic institution and who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership, knowledge, and creativity in the protection and preservation of Maryland’s historic buildings, neighborhoods, landscapes, and archeological sites. Nominations will be evaluated based on the impact of the person’s achievements and their contributions to the preservation of Maryland’s history and culture.

Ms. Davis has been Executive Director of the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House & Museum since 2014. Davis was president of the Greater Baltimore History Alliance from 2017-2020, is the secretary of the Maryland Four Centuries Project, and serves on the Small Museum Association Conference Committee. Under Davis‘ leadership, the Flag House was awarded accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums in March 2019. Accreditation is the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, 1,000 are currently accredited. The Flag House is one of only 23 museums accredited in Maryland.

Congratulations to Amanda and the other winners of this year’s Best of Maryland Awards! Visit the link below to learn more about the 2021 Best of Maryland Awards winners and Preservation Maryland.