Inside INdiana Business is reporting that Indiana Humanities says six Hoosier communities have been selected to host a Smithsonian-curated traveling exhibit called Crossroads: Change in Rural America. The exhibit, which will debut in September, is part of the Museum on Main Street program, a division of the Smithsonian that brings resources to rural communities.
The exhibit seeks to celebrate the history of small rural towns, in a effort to examine the economics and facilitate future discussion. The six hosts will also create a personalized portion of the exhibit that tells the story of their community. Host organizations will receive a $2,000 grant to cover costs.
“Conversations about change in our rural communities are vital to the future of Indiana,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities, in a news release. “We are excited to be able to utilize the ‘Crossroads’ exhibition as a catalyst for dialogue around the past, present and future of rural Indiana.”
Hosting organizations and dates for the exhibit are:
• Dillsboro branch of the Aurora Public Library in Dearborn County, Sept. 7 to Oct. 20.
• Washington County Historical Society in Salem, Oct. 26 to Dec. 8.
• Jennings County Historical Society in Vernon, Dec. 14 to Jan. 26, 2020.
• Elkhart County Historical Museum in Bristol, Feb. 1, 2020 to March 15, 2020.
• North Manchester Center for History in Wabash County, March 21, 2020 to May 2, 2020.
• University of Southern Indiana/Historic New Harmony in Posey County, May 9, 2020 to June 21, 2020.
Each community will host the exhibit for six weeks and receive training, funding or other resources from the Smithsonian, Indiana Humanities and the Office of Community & Rural Affairs.
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