The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program recently completed the latest in a series of exhibits developed in collaboration with the Federation of State Humanities Councils.  MoMS–a division of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) which serves small town museums and residents of rural America–has added “Journey Stories” to its impressive list of exhibit offerings.  Curated by William Withuhn at the National Museum of American History (NMAH), “Journey Stories” examines the intersection between transportation and American society by providing individual stories which illustrate the critical roles that mobility and travel have played in our country’s history over time.  The MoMS staff worked with the Office of Exhibits Central (OEC) to design and fabricate five copies of the 600 square foot, free-standing exhibit, which began touring in May 2009.  Audio components; objects including clay jugs, courie shells, and hurricane lanterns; cut-out figures; and engaging graphics supplement the compelling text. 

The five copies of the exhibit will travel within the states of Illinois, Mississippi, North Dakota, Kansas, and Oklahoma during the first year of the tour.

“Journey Stories” Title Panel

 

One Way Trip

 

Pushing the Boundaries

 

Across the “Great Desert” to the West!

 

 

photo credit:

    
  OEC editor