Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward MageeNews.com a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
Mississippi Humanities Council Announces Host Sites for Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition “Voices and Votes”
Through a partnership with the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS) division, the Mississippi Humanities Council is bringing “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America,” a portable multi-kiosk exhibit, to Mississippi in 2022. “Voices and Votes” will visit six Mississippi communities from March 2022 through January 2023, including Hattiesburg, Utica, Booneville, Pascagoula, Natchez, and Vicksburg.
The Library of Hattiesburg Petal and Forrest County (Hattiesburg), Hinds Community College (Utica), Northeast Mississippi Community College (Booneville), Pascagoula High School Performing Arts Center (Pascagoula), Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Natchez), and Catfish Row Museum (Vicksburg) will each host the exhibition for six-week periods from March 2022 through January 2023. In addition to hosting the exhibition, each site will develop a local complementary exhibit and a series of public humanities programs in conjunction with “Voices and Votes.”
“Voices and Votes,” an exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS) division, takes a broad look at American democracy—from the American Revolution and expanding suffrage, to civil rights and casting ballots. It explores who can vote, whose voices are heard, the responsibilities of American citizens, how we can encourage more people to participate in our democracy, and more. Exhibition sections explore the origins of American democracy, the struggles to obtain and keep the vote, the machinery of democracy, the right to petition and protest beyond the ballot and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. “Voices and Votes” features historical and contemporary photos; educational and archival video; engaging multimedia interactives with short games; and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia, and protest material.
“We are thrilled to bring ‘Voices and Votes’ to these six communities. Their applications exhibited capacity, excitement, and commitment that we are excited to see come to life as they host ‘Voices and Votes,’” said MHC program officer and “Voices and Votes” state coordinator Caroline Gillespie.
Dr. Rebecca Tuuri, associate professor of history at the University of Southern Mississippi, will serve as the state scholar for “Voices and Votes.” In her capacity as state scholar, Dr. Tuuri will serve as a resource for each host site as they plan for the exhibition’s tour in their community. Dr. Tuuri will also develop a public humanities program combining the themes of the exhibition with her own research areas to present at each of the six host sites.
The exhibition is part of Museum on Main Street, a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), state humanities councils across the nation, and local host institutions. To learn more about “Voices and Votes” and other Museum on Main Street exhibitions, visit the MoMS website. For more information about the “Voices and Votes” Mississippi schedule, visit the MHC website.
Support for MoMS has been provided by the U.S. Congress.
MageeNews.com is an online news source serving Simpson and surrounding areas as well as the State of Mississippi.
