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80 SITES Reaches
Rural America
through its Museum on Main Street Program
Now in its 14th year, Museum on Main Street is a one-of-a-kind
Museum on Main program that addresses the compelling cultural
Street is an innovative needs of rural and small-town America. It
partnership of the combines the prestige and exhibition expertise
Smithsonian, the of the Smithsonian, the programming know-
Federation of State how of state humanities councils, and the
Humanities Councils, remarkable volunteerism and unique histories
and individual state of small communities.
humanities councils One-fifth of all Americans live in rural
that serves small-town areas and nearly one-half of all U.S. museums
museums and residents are located in small, rural towns. These vital
of rural America. communities enjoy an enviable quality of life.
The response from Their museums are often labors of love, filled
small-town America with collections of artifacts from industries Girl Scouts try on Wisconsin cheesehead hats while visiting
has been overwhelming: or events that have shaped the character of the Key Ingredients at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS.
new and reinvigorated community. Museum on Main Street provides
museums, libraries, these institutions with access to resources The Museum on Main Street website (www.
and historical societies; they may not otherwise have and assists them museumonmainstreet.org) has detailed informa-
surging attendance; in making lasting improvements to advance tion, including exhibition tour schedules and
and a host of enriching their museums’ objectives. To date, MoMS educational resources, for potential venues, the
cultural experiences exhibitions have traveled to nearly 700 towns general public, and members of the press. State
in communities across (with populations generally ranging between and local MoMS coordinators may also use the
the nation. 400 and 20,000) in 43 states and territories. site as a key administrative assistance tool. And
See pages 99 for a list of participating state the new Road Reports blog provides an “on-the-
council partners. ground” look at the latest activities and accom-
Museum on Main Street exhibitions focus plishments of MoMS participants.
on broad topics and give host museums the Museum on Main Street has been made
Paul Sewell
opportunity, with support from state humani- possible through the generous support of the
ties councils, to create their own educational United States Congress.
A “main street” in rural Ohio programs, activities, and exhibitions that center For more information, contact Museum on
on their local culture and heritage. Consisting of Main Street (www.museumonmainstreet.org,
freestanding units and objects, exhibitions are moms@si.edu) or your state humanities council.
specifically designed to address the space and
staffing constraints of small cultural institu-
tions. Exhibition units travel in easy-to-handle
wheeled crates and can be assembled and disas-
sembled with minimal effort. Program planning
and installation workshops, in addition to exhi-
bition support materials, are provided to venues
hosting the exhibitions.
Between Fences 81
We live between fences. We may hardly notice through the boundaries they build. Audiences Contents
6 freestanding units,
them, but they are dominant features in our lives are intrigued by the multiple meanings of this
panel-hung vitrines, 20
and in America’s history. Our past is defined by familiar icon as they simultaneously consider objects, interactives
the cutting point of barbed steel and the staccato personal values and American history. The exhi-
rhythm of the white picket. Rivals have seized bition also provides institutions and teachers with Supplemental
Poster, brochure,
post, rail, board, and wire to stake a claim for rich opportunities for local humanities-based postcards, banner,
home and happiness. The fences that skirt our programming that encourages exploration of docent material,
properties define both ownership and identity. issues that shape American life. curriculum material,
educational and
A cultural history of fences and land use, promotional resources
Between Fences examines how neighbors and Between Fences is generously supported by the
nations divide and protect, offend and defend United States Congress. Participation fee
This is a special
program available only
through the Museum
on Main Street
collaboration with state
humanities councils.
Not available for
general booking
Size
John Vachon. Library of Congress
600 square feet
Security
Limited
Shipping
SITES-designated
Residents of Laurium, MI, share a conversation across a fence in 1941. carrier
2,700 pounds
15 lightweight crates
with handles and
Warshaw Collection, National Museum of American History
wheels
Scheduling
For more information,
contact Museum
on Main Street
(202.633.5335,
moms@si.edu) or
your state humanities
council
In this advertisement for Page Fence, the manufacturer touted the
safety and security of its product.
Visitors at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center in Decatur, AL, use inter-
active spinning photo panels to compare and contrast the northern and
southern borders of the United States.
82 Journey Stories
Contents Mobility is part of our American identity, and Focusing on immigration, migration, innova-
7 freestanding units,
journey stories—tales of how we and our ances- tion, and freedom, this complex story lends
panel-hung vitrines,
objects, audio tors came to this country—are central to the itself to a variety of public humanities programs
components personal heritage of each of us. From Native including local exhibitions about the growth of
peoples to new American citizens, everyone has immigrant communities, the personal narra-
Supplemental
Poster, brochure, an account of how they got here. tives of transportation workers, and methods
postcards, banners, Journey Stories examines the intersection be- of transportation as depicted in literature, film,
docent material, tween modes of travel and Americans’ desire to and music.
curriculum material,
bibliography, film guide move. Our transportation history is much more
than trains, boats, wagons, cars, and airplanes, Journey Stories is generously supported by the
Participation fee however. For most, it reveals a yearning for a United States Congress.
This is a special
program available only promised land, for personal fortune, for stable
through the Museum employment, and for pure enjoyment on the
on Main Street open road. But that sense of freedom is offset
collaboration with state
humanities councils.
by the experiences of African slaves and Native Opposite: This engraving, Mayflower Approaching Land,
Not available for Americans forced to leave their homes. was published by John A. Lowell in 1905.
general booking
Size
600-700 square feet
Security
Limited
Shipping
SITES-designated
carrier
Weight and crates TBD
Tour begins
May 2009
Scheduling
For more information,
contact Museum
on Main Street
(202.633.5335,
moms@si.edu) or
Opposite: Library of Congress, LC-USZ62-3046
your state humanities
council
John Vachon. Library of Congress
Two migratory workers, traveling from farm to farm during potato season, walk along a North Carolina road in 1940.
www.museumonmainstreet.org · moms@si.edu
83
Journey Stories
84 Key Ingredients
America by Food
Contents What are kolaces, spaetzle, and pierogies? How flavors we enjoy. Food on the American table
6 freestanding units,
do you make burgoo and gumbo? Who brought is rooted in centuries of continuous borrowing
panel-hung vitrines, 60
objects yams and pigs to America? Most of us eat with- and sharing between people, across generations,
out giving a thought to the wealth of history across cultures, and across the land.
Supplemental and culture that shapes our dining habits and Host institutions can create activities and
Poster, brochure,
postcards, educational taste preferences. Our recipes, menus, ceremo- events that are both fun and informative: cook-
website, banner, nies, and etiquette are directly affected by our offs, oral history projects, folk demonstrations,
docent material, nation’s rich immigrant experience, the history publications, chili and barbecue festivals,
curriculum material,
educational and and innovations of food preparation technol- and ancillary exhibitions to name a few. The
promotional materials ogy, and the ever-changing availability of key exhibition website (www.keyingredients.org)
ingredients. invites people across the country to share their
Participation fee
This is a special Key Ingredients: America by Food provides an family recipes and food stories and learn about
program available only entertaining and informative overview of our other customs.
through the Museum diverse regional cooking and eating traditions,
on Main Street
collaboration with state
investigating how culture, ethnicity, landscape, Key Ingredients is generously supported by the
humanities councils. and tradition influence the different foods and United States Congress.
Not available for
general booking.
Size
900 square feet
Security
Limited
Shipping
SITES-designated
carrier
3,475 pounds
19 lightweight crates
with handles and
wheels
Scheduling
For more information,
contact Museum
on Main Street
(202.633.5335, moms@
si.edu) or your state
humanities council
Minnesota Historical Society
In this exhibit photo, three boys enjoy hot dogs at the 1947 Minnesota State Fair. In 1916 Nathan Handwerker, a Polish shoemaker, opened a hot
dog stand on Coney Island and thus launched the career of the popular fast food.
www.museumonmainstreet.org · moms@si.edu
85
Key Ingredients
Diverse local programs and complementary
exhibitions form the heart of the Museum on
Main Street experience in host communities like
Acoma Pueblo, NM. At the Key Ingredients
opening at Sky City Cultural Center, volunteers
recreate a food throw, a traditional Acoma Nation
way of giving back to members of the community.
86 New Harmonies
Celebrating American Roots Music
Contents Whether called blues, country western, folk, or the birthplace of great music. An inspiring and
8 freestanding units,
gospel, the sounds are as sweet as mountain air toe-tapping examination of America’s multi-
panel-hung vitrines,
musical instruments, and as sultry as a summer night in the Mis- cultural exchange, New Harmonies is full of
interactives, central sissippi delta. American music, both sacred surprises about familiar songs and instruments
listening station, 3 and secular, reveals distinct cultural identities while exploring the continuity of musical
audio stations
and records the histories of peoples reshaping roots—from the flourishing of sacred music to
Supplemental themselves in a new and changing world. New the emergence of commercial folk and country.
Poster, brochure, Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music
postcards, banners,
docent material, explores the growth of American music, as rich New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots
curriculum material, and eclectic as the country itself. Music is generously supported by the United
discography, film guide The instruments vary from fiddles to banjos, States Congress.
Participation fee from accordions to drums, and the origins of the
This is a special sounds are just as diverse, from Africa to Europe
program available only to Native America. Still, all of these rhythms merge,
through the Museum
on Main Street
as do the melodies and harmonies, creating Opposite: New Harmonies examines the great diversity of
collaboration with state completely new sounds—new American music. American music and how we use it to celebrate our cultural
humanities councils. heritage. This image from the exhibition shows a group of Native
The main beat of the exhibition is the American drummers performing at a National Museum of the
Not available for
general booking
ongoing cultural process that has made America American Indian powwow in 2005.
Size
800 square feet
Security
Limited
Shipping
SITES-designated
carrier
3,900 pounds
19 lightweight crates
Opposite: Walter Larrimore, National Museum of the American Indian
with handles and
wheels
Scheduling
For more information,
contact Museum
on Main Street
(202.633.5335,
moms@si.edu) or
your state humanities
council.
Many host communities for New Harmonies invite local musicians to perform popular varieties of roots music. Meridian, MS, kicked off the state’s
tour of the exhibition with an outdoor performance in a local park.
www.museumonmainstreet.org · moms@si.edu
87
New Harmonies
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