Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit Opens in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Mo.- The Smithsonian Institution is known as the world’s largest museum, education and research center, headquartered in Washington D.C. The Smithsonian is perhaps best known for its collection of museums that line the National Mall in our nation’s capital. But now, a part of the Smithsonian has come to Memphis, Missouri.

Voices and Votes: Democracy in America is a national traveling exhibit made possible by the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program in cooperation with Missouri Humanities. The exhibit examines the nearly 250-year old American experiment of government of, by and for the people. The exhibit features photographs, videos, interactive games and historical objects that invite visitors to reflect on the evolution of democracy in our nation.

The exhibit opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony Sunday afternoon. Lois Bragg, a legislative aide to Missouri 18^th District Senator Cindy O’Laughlin, gave remarks on behalf of the senator. She said that recent events make the lessons of this exhibit more important than ever.

Bragg

Bryan Nichols, Communications Director for U.S. Congressman Sam Graves, brought his daughter to the event. He said that she is in 5^th grade and that the exhibit reinforces many civics lessons being taught in Missouri schools.

Nichols

One of the sponsors of the exhibit is the Hometown Radio Group based in Memphis. General Manager Corey Stott said that his company’s daily on-air operations are extensions of the lessons taught by this exhibit.

Stott

The Honorable E. Richard Webber, retired U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Missouri and a native of Memphis, gave keynote remarks. He expressed hope that the exhibit would help nudge our country back to the civility and respect that have traditionally defined our rural ways of life.

Webber

Voices and Votes: Democracy in America will be open to the public from now until October 26^th in Memphis. The rural northeast Missouri community of 1700 people is one of six host sites selected from across the state. The other five sites are all communities of 10,000 people or more. They include Maryville, Sikeston, Neosho, Grain Valley and Washington. Memphis is the fourth stop in Missouri for the exhibit. It will next travel to Grain Valley in November.