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
- Thomaston
Aug. 24 – Oct. 4, 2019 - McRae-Helena
Oct. 12 – Nov. 23, 2019 - Monticello
Dec. 7, 2019 – Jan. 11, 2020 - Cuthbert
Jan. 18, 2020 – Feb. 29, 2020 - Summerville
March 7 – April 18, 2020 - Blue Ridge
June 20 – July 17, 2020
Crossroads News
- “Smithsonian to Rural Regions: Your Wealth is in Your Culture,” PEW Research Center
- “Crossroads: Change in Rural America Brings a Slice of the Smithsonian to Small-Town Georgia,” On Second Thought with GPB’s Virginia Prescott
- “Embracing Rural America: UWG Professor Brings the Smithsonian to Georgia,” University of West Georgia News
- “Rural history encompassed in traveling exhibit,” Georgia’s Rural Center
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.
