The Museums of Tusculum College received a Merit Award for its advertising poster at the eighth annual Pinnacle Awards sponsored by the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association.

The awards were presented May 11 at the Meadow View Marriott Conference Resort in Kingsport. The Pinnacle Awards Program recognizes organizations and businesses in Northeast Tennessee that are peak performers in promoting tourism and participation in cultural events.

The award-winning full color poster features the museum education programs offered through the Doak House Museum and President Andrew Johnson Museum & Library, which are located on the campus of Tusculum College. The poster also includes images of the college's historic museums, children engaged in various learning activities, and information on the college's undergraduate program in Museum Studies.

Five thousand of the posters were distributed to teachers throughout East Tennessee for year-around use in their classrooms, and to other supporting institutions. The advertising poster led to a 40 percent increase in calls for program reservations and a 57 percent increase in museum shop sales.

Susan Whittaker, the state commissioner of tourism who attended the awards presentation, said that the Museums of Tusculum poster directed at teachers was a creative approach to not only market the museums' education programs, but also promote the rich heritage of East Tennessee.

The award was presented to Cindy Lucas, associate director of the Department of Museum Program and Studies - director of the Doak House Museum and George Collins, department director.

The poster also received an "Award of Excellence" from the Tennessee Association of Museums at their annual meeting in March.

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