Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Planting Fields Foundation has been awarded accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, putting the historic organization in the top 3 percent of museums nationwide and making it the first New York state park site to achieve the honor.
The designation, announced on Aug. 6, recognizes the foundation’s dedication to preservation, education and cultural programming. Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, just over 1,100 have earned accreditation, according to the AAM. Planting Fields, in Oyster Bay, now joins 70 accredited museums in New York state.
The multi-year accreditation process required the foundation to undergo a comprehensive self-study, a site visit by museum professionals and final review by the AAM’s accreditation commission. The rigorous evaluation took into account governance, collections care, financial health and public service.
Kayla Cheshire, the foundation’s communications and marketing manager, said the process was demanding, but rewarding.
“It’s something that we apply for, and it’s a process where they actually come and they see our collections,” Cheshire explained. “They take a look at the museum from every standpoint: culturally, historically, what it is that we’re working towards, how we plan on accomplishing that, what our plan is for the future — and so it can be a grueling process.”
The foundation first began working toward accreditation in 2020, its president and CEO, Gina J. Wouters, said, starting with the AAM’s Museum Assessment Program before advancing through subsequent steps. The initial accreditation application was tabled, requiring the organization to strengthen certain areas.
“Around 40 percent of first-time applicants for accreditation get tabled,” Wouters said. “That really shed a huge light on areas of shortcoming and where we just need to put more attention and direct more resources.”
Her team, Wouters said, directed significant resources, including a $75,000 grant, to developing new strategic and business plans to improve their chances of success. That effort paid off, with the AAM commission awarding the accreditation at the beginning of August.
Among the staff, the news was met with both excitement and relief. “Our team is incredibly passionate, and excited about the work we do on a daily basis,” Cheshire said. “So to see it come to accreditation, it’s special, especially that level of accreditation and recognition.”
The honor does not directly unlock new funding opportunities, but it is expected to strengthen the foundation’s standing in the eyes of potential contributors.
“When funding agencies see that we are AAM-accredited, I think it sets us in an entirely different category than other museums that are not accredited,” Wouters said. “So it gives you a certain stature and reputation, and it conveys that you really are very serious and adhere to the highest standards of professional museum management.”
Beyond fundraising, Cheshire emphasized that the recognition affirms Planting Fields as a place for all visitors, including those with special needs and non-English speakers. “Part of our main entrance campaign was adding in 2,000 linear feet of ADA-accessible walkways,” she said. “We redesigned our signage for navigation purposes. We also included maps that are in different languages, so that it really, truly is a place that all different kinds of people are able to explore and access comfortably and confidently.”
The foundation is now preparing to unveil a major new garden designed by internationally renowned landscape designer Piet Oudolf, scheduled to open in 2026. The addition will join a slate of seasonal exhibitions, performances and educational programs.
Accreditation also sets a high bar for the future. Museums must go through re-accreditation every 10 years.
“There’s a level of sustainability of our work now that we are accredited,” Wouters said. “The bar has been raised so high, we can’t go down anymore. Even if I leave next year, or any other staff leave that have been integral to this process, you know, there’s no other way to do things than achieving the expectations of AAM. And so there is a real accountability and a sustainability to the quality of our work that I think accreditation affords.”
Visitors can explore the Main House with guided and self-guided tours offered Friday through Sunday. The tours showcase the story of the Coe family, who constructed the property that became Planting Fields, and the Tudor Revival architecture of the estate.
For Wouters, the recognition is both a professional achievement and a cultural milestone for Long Island. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of our organization, of our staff, of our board, of our volunteers, who all played some role in the accreditation process and really pushed themselves to achieving the standard and being held accountable,” she said. “It’s something that we do because we want to be an incredibly professional organization, and be among the best museums within the country.”
