Museum on Main Street

Through a partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, Georgia Humanities hosts Museum on Main Street, a program that provides small and rural communities access to Smithsonian traveling exhibitions. Local communities host the exhibitions and organize accompanying programs.

Crossroads: Change in Rural America toured Georgia from August 2019 through July 2020. Meet the host communities below.

Georgia Tour at a Glance

  1. Thomaston
    Aug. 24 – Oct. 4, 2019
  2. McRae-Helena
    Oct. 12 – Nov. 23, 2019
  3. Monticello
    Dec. 7, 2019 – Jan. 11, 2020
  4. Cuthbert
    Jan. 18, 2020 – Feb. 29, 2020
  5. Summerville
    March 7 – April 18, 2020
  6. Blue Ridge
    June 20 – July 17, 2020

Crossroads News

Our rural communities have served as the heart of cultural life in our state for generations. These crossroads where people have gathered to exchange goods and services as well as engage in political and community discussions are an important part of our cultural fabric.

Within the last century we have seen a shift. Less than 25% of Georgia’s citizens live in our rural communities today even though 75% of Georgia’s 159 counties are classified as rural. Uneven opportunities in rural and urban areas have contributed to this population shift.

Change is an inevitable part of any community’s life.

Crossroads: Change in Rural America uses photos, objects, film, audio, and interactive technology, to explore broader themes of identity, land, community, persistence, and response to change, as well as the role our rural communities have played in shaping the American cultural landscape.

Crossroads Sponsors

Crossroads is presented in Georgia by Georgia Humanities, the Center for Public History at the University of West Georgia, Georgia EMC, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Crossroads: Change in Rural America is part of Museum on Main Street, a partnership with the Smithsonian Institution that provides small and rural communities access to Smithsonian traveling exhibitions. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress. To learn more, visit museumonmainstreet.org.

Meet the Host Communities

Thomaston

Crossroads toured Thomaston from Aug. 24 to Oct. 4, 2019.
Read more the exhibit’s time in Thomaston below.

McRae-Helena

Crossroads toured McRae-Helena from Oct. 12 to Nov. 23, 2019.
Read more the exhibit’s time in McRae-Helena below.

Monticello

Monticello

Crossroads toured Monticello from Dec. 7, 2019 to Jan. 11, 2020.
Read more the exhibit’s time in Monticello below.

Cuthbert

Cuthbert

Crossroads toured Cuthbert from Jan. 18 to Feb. 29, 2020.
Read more the exhibit’s time in Cuthbert below.

Summerville

Summerville

Crossroads was forced to close early in Summerville due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but
you can read more about the Summerville community below.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge

Crossroads toured Blue Ridge from June 20 to July 17, 2020. Read more about the exhibit’s time in Blue Ridge below.

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