THE SMITHSONIAN RETURNS TO GEORGIA FOR AMERICA250
Voices and Votes: Democracy in America Opens in Eatonton
ATLANTA—Georgia Humanities, in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution, is thrilled to present Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, a traveling exhibition exploring the history and promise of democracy in the United States.
Arriving in Georgia during America’s 250th anniversary, Voices and Votes examines how Americans have engaged with the democratic process—from the Revolution and suffrage to civil rights and civic participation today. The exhibition draws connections between past and present and invites visitors to consider what democracy means in their own communities.
Voices and Votes opens in Eatonton on April 25, 2026. Hosted locally by the Georgia Writers Museum and the Old School History Museum, the exhibition will be on view through May 31, 2026, at the Putnam County Administration Building, 117 Putnam Drive.
Eatonton marks the launch of the Georgia tour, which will travel through March 2027 with additional stops in Hartwell, Cartersville, Mount Vernon, Brunswick, Dawson, and Perry for the Georgia National Fair.
A launch event will take place on April 25, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the Putnam County Administration Building, County Commission Room. The evening will feature a discussion with Governor Nathan Deal, 82nd Governor of Georgia, and Representative Calvin Smyre, the longest-serving member of the Georgia House of Representatives. The conversation will be moderated by Cathy Cox, President of Georgia College and State University. You can reserve your tickets for the opening reception here.
Educators are also invited to a professional development workshop series to be held April 21–23, 2026, provided by the Georgia Council for Economic Education. The workshops will focus on integrating economics into lesson plans for grades 3–12 in connection with America 250 and Voices and Votes.
Throughout the six-week Eatonton run, community partners will host events across Putnam County, including auxiliary exhibits, panel discussions, readings, choral events, and visual art shows celebrating American democracy. Local partners include Eatonton Main Street, Butler-Baker Alumni Association, Putnam County Charter High School, Eatonton-Putnam County Library, The Artisans Village Art Gallery, Festival Hall, Steffen Thomas Museum of Art, the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce, The Eatonton Messenger, and more. For a full list of community events, visit GeorgiaWritersMuseum.org.
“Voices and Votes reminds us that democracy is something we do—not just something we study,” said Mary Wearn, president of Georgia Humanities. “This exhibition brings history into conversation with the present, inviting communities across Georgia to engage with the responsibilities and possibilities of civic life.”
Voices and Votes is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and state humanities councils nationwide. It is based on an exhibition by the National Museum of American History. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress. To learn more about Voices and Votes and other Museum on Main Street exhibitions, visit MuseumOnMainStreet.org.
The Georgia tour of Voices and Votes is presented by Georgia Humanities as part of its America250 programming, with support from Oglethorpe Power, Georgia Transmission, Georgia System Operations, Georgia EMC, and Georgia Magazine. For more information, visit GeorgiaHumanities.org.
DETAILS:
Voices and Votes: Democracy in America in Eatonton
April 25 – May 31, 2026
Putnam County Annex Building
117 Putnam Dr., Eatonton, GA 31024
Opening Reception: April 25, 2026, 5:30–7:00 PM
Exhibition Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Click here to reserve your opening night tickets.
About Georgia Humanities
Georgia Humanities connects people and communities to encourage understanding and inspire hope. Through grantmaking and public programs, we engage people of all ages and backgrounds to explore what shapes us as individuals and binds us together as Georgians. Funding for Georgia Humanities is provided by the Georgia General Assembly, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and various foundations, donors, and partners.
###
