The Latah County Historical Society and the University of Idaho Library are proud to welcome “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America,” a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program in cooperation with the Idaho Humanities Council. The exhibit examines the nearly 250-year-old American experiment of a government “of, by and for the people,” and how each generation since continues to question how to form “a more perfect union.” Opening at the University of Idaho Library’s second floor gallery on August 23rd, “Voices and Votes” will be on display through October 3rd and is free and open to the public for viewing.
“Voices and Votes” is based on an exhibition currently on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History called “American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith.” Through historical and contemporary photos, videos, and objects, the exhibit explores 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. The Latah County Historical Society and University of Idaho Special Collections and Archives will also display local artifacts from area elections that explore the evolution of campaigning.
“At the University of Idaho Library, we are excited to host this important and timely exhibit on campus, where the next generation of leaders will have a chance to reflect on the immense privileges and responsibilities of America’s democracy,” said Dulce Kersting Lark, head of the library’s Special Collections and Archives.
In conjunction with “Voices and Votes,” a number of free, public programs will be held with local scholars exploring the exhibit’s themes. Additionally, area teachers are encouraged to schedule class visits to the exhibit, and bus stipends are available to public schools in Latah County. “We really hope that the community and our schools take advantage of this unique opportunity. LCHS is thrilled to partner with the University and create relevant history experiences for everyone in our region,” remarked Hayley Noble, executive director of the Latah County Historical Society. All information on companion programming, class visits, teacher resources and guides, and more, can be found at latahcountyhistoricalsociety.org/voices-votes.
The Museum on Main Street program is a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and state humanities councils nationwide, and support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.
Media Contact:
Hayley Noble
208-882-1004
hnoble@latahcountyid.gov
Dulce Kersting-Lark
208-885-1309
dulce@uidaho.edu
