Voices and Votes: Democracy in America

Bartow History Museum is hosting Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, a Smithsonian traveling exhibition presented with Georgia Humanities. On view from July 23 through September 5, it explores the history of U.S. democracy, civic participation, and the ongoing expansion of voting rights over nearly 250 years.

The exhibition examines how American democracy has developed “of, by, and for the people,” highlighting voting rights, civic engagement, protest, and the systems that support elections. It features historical artifacts, archival media, photographs, and interactive displays that trace both the evolution and challenges of democratic participation.

Part of the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program – a national partnership between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, state humanities councils, and local host institutions – the exhibition brings public history programming to rural communities. The Georgia tour is supported by Georgia Humanities and partners including Oglethorpe Power, Georgia Transmission, and Georgia System Operations, with additional support from the U.S. Congress.

To learn more about Museum on Main Street exhibitions, visit Museum on Main Street.

To learn more about the Georgia US250 Commission, visit Georgia US250 Commission.

Upcoming Exhibit Events and Programming