Housatonic Museum of Art wins 2025 AASLH Award of Excellence for Walter Iooss Exhibition

The Housatonic Museum of Art (HMA), in partnership with Interpreting Sports (IS), LLC, was recognized on Friday, September 12th at the American Association for State and Local History’s (AASLH) Annual Conference with a 2025 Award of Excellence for the exhibition “The Making of an Icon: Walter Iooss and Sports Photography.” Now in its 80th year, the AASLH Leadership in History Awards remain the nation’s most prestigious recognition of achievement in preserving and interpreting state and local history.

The exhibition which ran from March 6 through August 2, 2024, featured 47 works from the museum’s collection of 141 photographs by legendary sports photographer, Walter Iooss. Often called “the Rembrandt of sports photography,” Iooss has shaped the visual narrative of sports for more than six decades, capturing both the triumphs and struggles of athletes across disciplines.

Presented in collaboration with Interpreting Sports of Somerville, MA, The Making of an Icon: Walter Iooss and Sports Photographyexplored how photography builds legends, celebrates heroism, and reveals the human stories behind athletic performance. The exhibition was accompanied by a series of special programs, including conversations with Iooss, sportswriter Ivan Maisel, and journalism professor Adam Rugg, along with opening and closing receptions, curator-led tours, and a virtual tour created for online audiences.

“We are grateful to be recognized by the AASLH for this year’s Leadership in History Award and have the opportunity to honor Walter Iooss’ work and career,” says Kathryn Leann Harris, Founder & CEO at Interpreting Sports. “Both the Housatonic Museum of Art and Iooss’ photographs invited us to unpack the lives of iconic athletes and delve into the impact of sports and iconography by asking questions of individual and group identity, critical controversies, and collective memory-making. We greatly appreciate our colleagues at the Housatonic Museum of Art and partners for championing the type of interpretive work that positions in the forefront the athletes’ humanity and invites visitors to discover new parts of themselves in the artwork.”

Discover our Vintage Merritt Parkway & Wilbur Cross Parkway merch—tees, hoodies, totes, mugs, and more. Free USA shipping!

“It has been such a pleasure working with Interpreting Sports to bring this exhibition and related programs to life,” says Jennifer Reynolds-Kaye, Director of the Housatonic Museum of Art. “We are thrilled that AASLH recognized the importance of Walter Iooss’ contributions not only to sports history, but also to the larger stories of humanity throughout the twentieth century. We are grateful to our partners at Connecticut Humanities and the Lyman Allyn Art Museum who understood the vision and carried this project to the finish line.”

Don’t miss

• Disney On Ice Presents Frozen & Encanto in Hartford this January
• Learn to cook this fall with AMG Catering & Events
• Michael Jackson tribute show Invincible returns to Mohegan Sun Arena in December

••••••• Message center – Connecticut savings and messages from our sponsors •••••••

Farmington Polo Club

The Farmington Polo Club is set to offer a vibrant lineup of events this June, blending competitive polo with festive themes and family-friendly activities.

September 27, 2025 – FPC – Finals
September 28, 2025 – Fall Derby

Click here to purchase tickets

Learn to cook this fall with AMG Catering

AMG Catering and Events in Wilton, Connecticut, is offering a fall series of cooking classes designed to celebrate seasonal flavors and global cuisine. Each class combines hands-on instruction with perfectly paired beverages, from wine and beer to creative cocktails, as participants learn to prepare a variety of savory and sweet dishes. From autumn-inspired comfort foods to festive holiday treats, these classes provide an interactive, fun experience for home cooks of all skill levels. Join AMG this fall to sharpen your culinary skills, explore new flavors, and enjoy delicious meals in a vibrant, social setting. Click here for more information.

Connecticut Merch

Celebrate Connecticut nostalgia with our Vintage Merritt Parkway and Wilbur Cross Parkway collection! Honoring the classic exit numbers, these designs pay tribute to the iconic parkways that connect communities across the state. Explore a variety of items including T-shirts, hoodies, crewnecks, mugs, tote bags, decorative pillows, and blankets, all with free shipping. Perfect for Connecticut residents, collectors, and road trip lovers who want to showcase their state pride. Each piece captures a timeless piece of local history while adding style to your wardrobe or home.

Vintage Merritt Parkway Exits
Exit 27 • Exit 28 • Exit 29 • Exit 31 • Exit 33 • Exit 34 • Exit 35 • Exit 36 • Exit 37 • Exit 38 • Exit 39 • Exit 40 • Exit 41 • Exit 42 • Exit 44 • Exit 46 • Exit 47 • Exit 48 • Exit 49 • Exit 50 • Exit 51 • Exit 52 • Exit 53 • Exit 54

Vintage Wilbur Cross Parkway
Exit 55 • Exit 55B • Exit 56 • Exit 57 • Exit 58 • Exit 59 • Exit 60 • Exit 61 • Exit 62 • Exit 63 • Exit 64 • Exit 65 • Exit 66• Exit 67 • Exit 68N-E • Exit 68W

Your ad here

The Message Center on Finding Connecticut appears on every post across the site, giving your message maximum exposure to a statewide audience. Whether you’re promoting an event, business, product, or service, your message will be seen by thousands of engaged readers exploring Connecticut content every day. Placement runs monthly, making it an ideal option for consistent visibility without the need for daily management. With prominent positioning and a streamlined setup process, the Message Center offers an affordable, effective way to get your message in front of locals—right where they’re already paying attention. Reserve your spot today to get noticed. Click here for more information on Message Center ads. Click here for more advertising opportunities.

Gourmet Cookies

Indulge in Keksi gourmet cookies, featuring classic flavors such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, as well as new monthly creations. Made with the highest quality ingredients, each bite is a delicious treat. Perfect for any cookie lover!

Movie showtimes at Prospector Theater

Looking to see a movie. Click here for showtimes

Save on CBD!

My name is Jillian, and I am the editor here at Finding Connecticut. When I came across New England Hemp Farm a few years ago, I had recently had my ankle fused. New England Hemp Farm’s Sports Relief Rub and 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil have helped with everyday and weather pain.

Finding quality products that can improve your day-to-day life can be tough, but with New England Hemp Farm, getting a good night’s sleep or relieving your pain and anxiety has never been easier. Plus, using our code Findingconnecticut35, you’ll save 35% on your first purchase. And don’t forget, returning customers can use code Findingconnecticut20 to save 20% on orders. Let us help you find relief and savings with New England Hemp Farm.

Products we use here at Finding Connecticut include Sports Relief Rub • 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil • Pet Drops • Pet Treats

Let’s create with Victory Designs

Need help with your creative needs? Our team has 20+ years of experience with Adobe, Shopify, and WordPress, and we offer affordable graphic design and web services. Let Victory Designs assist you with bringing your ideas to life.

Connecticut business owners:
Are you a local business owner in Connecticut looking to boost your visibility and reach more customers? Look no further! Our platform provides a unique opportunity to showcase your business to an engaged audience of people who love and live in Connecticut. By partnering with us, you can reach potential customers who are actively seeking things to do, places to dine, and local merchants and service providers to support. Don’t miss out on this chance to grow your business and connect with the local community!

Connecticut with us!

Stay informed with daily news directly in your inbox! Our service is completely free, and we guarantee your privacy – your email and information will never be shared, traded, or sold.

Stay connected with us on social media

Facebook • Instagram • Threads • Tiktok • X • Newsbreak • Bluesky
Join our Reddit community

Share your Connecticut experiences with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram

Click here to return to Finding Connecticut’s home page

Don’t miss our reviews

Concert reviews • Restaurant reviews • Family restaurant reviews

Looking for the latest news by region, topic, and events

Foxwoods celebrates November with All Star Sumo, John Legend & a season like no other

ICYMI: Our top 5 visited stories of the week

Housatonic Museum of Art wins 2025 AASLH Award of Excellence for Walter Iooss Exhibition