The traveling Smithsonian Exhibition “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” is open now through Aug. 13 at the Nicodemus National Historic Site at 304 Washington Ave. in Nicodemus.
“Voices and Votes” considers the many ways Americans have worked to create “a more perfect union” throughout history.
The exhibition uses photographs from the Smithsonian’s collection, engaging multimedia interactives, and historical objects to 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.
Audio guides and translations of the exhibit into over 100 languages have been made possible with support from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation.
On display with the Voices and Votes exhibition in Nicodemus is a local exhibition “Nicodemus Politicians,” which showcases the community’s distinguished politicians, including Edward P. McCabe, the first African American to hold statewide office in Kansas.
“Voices and Votes” has previously been on display in Dodge City and Wichita.
After Nicodemus it will move to the Franklin County Historical Society in Ottaway from Aug. 19 to Oct. 1; at the Winfield Public Library in Winfield from Oct. 7 to Nov. 19; and at the Republic County Historical Society in Belleville from Nov. 25 to Jan. 7, 2024.
Humanities Kansas sponsors “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” in partnership with Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street, a one-of-a-kind cultural outreach initiative. “Through a unique collaboration with the Museum on Main Street program, Humanities Kansas is able to bring the resources of the nation’s premier cultural institution to museums, historical societies, cultural venues, and public libraries in Kansas,” said Julie Mulvihill, executive director of Humanities Kansas.
“Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” has been made possible in Kansas with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Foundation, ITC Great Plains, The Mariah Fund, Kansas Tourism, and Friends of Humanities Kansas.
For more information on “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America,” contact Humanities Kansas at 785-357-0359 or visit humanitieskansas.org. Contact local venues directly for hours of operation event details.