The Smithsonian is coming to Florida!

Florida Humanities recently awarded $10,000 to each of five communities to participate in a 2024-2025 statewide tour of “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America,” a compelling traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street program. “Voices and Votes” is designed to engage visitors in a “you are there” adventure of U.S political history through displays of artifacts, drawings, photos, videos, and interactive elements.

The following five communities will host the exhibition with complementary public programming and local exhibitions:

  • March 23 – May 18, 2024
    Sulphur Springs Museum and Heritage Center (Hillsborough County)
  • May 25 – July 13, 2024
    Okeechobee Main Street / Okeechobee County Historical Courthouse (Okeechobee County)
  • July 20 – September 7, 2024
    Matheson History Museum (Alachua County)
  • September 14 – November 9, 2024
    Lee County Public Library – Cape Coral branch (Lee County)
  • November 16, 2024 – January 11, 2025
    Leesburg Public Library (Lake County)

Museum on Main Street (MoMS) is a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and Florida Humanities to bring traveling exhibitions and engaging public programs to small towns across our state. With its impassioned focus on local history, education and community redevelopment, Museum on Main Street is one of the Smithsonian’s most inspirational and enduring outreach programs. Florida Humanities has been a Museum on Main Street affiliate since 2012, providing support for more than 64 exhibitions statewide.

“Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. It is based on an exhibition by the National Museum of American History called “American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith.” Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.