• Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Examining Democracy in America Coming to Crowder College

July 23, 2025
For Immediate Release
Office of Public Information
Crowder College

RE: Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Examining Democracy in America Coming to Crowder College

    Neosho, MO – The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, in cooperation with Missouri Humanities Council, presents “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America.” The exhibition examines the nearly 250-year-old American experiment of a government “of, by and for the people,” and how each generation since continues to question how to form “a more perfect union.” Opening at the Crowder College Longwell Museum on July 28 “Voices and Votes” will be on view through August 31. The Longwell Museum is located at 601 Laclede, Ave., Neosho, MO 64850 inside the Elsie Plaster Community Center. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, from 9 am – 6:30 pm. It is closed on holidays.

    Crowder College and the surrounding community has been chosen by the Missouri Humanities Council to host “Voices and Votes” as part of the Museum on Main Street program— a national/state/local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations.

    In addition to the exhibit, there will be additional events. On August 28 and 29 at 6pm, as well as August 31 at 2pm, “Raise your voice,” a live music event offering music of patriotism and protests since 1776 will take place. Then, on September 4, the History Symposium will return at 6:30 pm with a guest speaker.

    This exhibit and series of events is made possible by the following local community partners: League of Women Voters, DAR (Neosho Chapter), McDonald county Historical Society, Newton county Historical Society, Neosho/Newton County Library, Jasper County Cemetery Preservation Society, Newton County Cemetery Preservation Society, Crowder College Foundation, Lee Library, Longwell Museum and Crowder Social Sciences and Fine Arts Divisions.

    “Voices and Votes” explores the action, reaction, vision and revision that democracy demands as Americans continue to question how to shape the country. From the revolution and suffrage, to civil rights and casting ballots, everyone in every community is part of this ever evolving story—the story of democracy in America. Exhibition sections explore the origins of American democracy, the struggles to obtain and keep the vote, the machinery of democracy, the right to petition and protest beyond the ballot and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

    “We are excited to partner with Missouri Humanities Council and the Smithsonian Institute’s Museums on Main Street Project to bring this exhibit to Neosho. As a Community College it is important for us to take advantage of opportunities to reach beyond just our student body,” said Dr. Denna Clymer, Crowder College Social Science Division Chair. “We are thrilled that the community, and particularly our partner organizations, have taken such a keen interest in bringing the Voices to Votes exhibit to Crowder, and for our part, this is a tremendous opportunity to live out our mission of creating a Civil, Serving, Literate, Learning Community of Responsible Citizens.”

    Designed for small-town museums, libraries and cultural organizations, “Voices and Votes” will serve as a community meeting place for conversations about democracy, the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens, participating in government, and more. With the support and guidance of state humanities councils, these towns will develop complementary exhibits, host public programs and facilitate educational initiatives to raise people’s understanding about their own history, the joys and challenges of living rural, how change has impacted their community, and prompt discussion of goals for the future.

    “Voices and Votes” is based on an exhibition currently on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History called American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith.

    To learn more about “Voices” and other Museum on Main Street exhibitions, visit museumonmainstreet.org. Support for MoMS has been provided by the U.S. Congress.

    SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for more than 65 years. SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science and history, which are shown wherever people live, work and play. For exhibition description and tour schedules, visit sites.si.edu.

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For more information, please contact the Crowder College Office of Public Information at 417.455.5540, or CindyBrown@Crowder.edu | KateDalton@Crowder.edu
The Smithsonian contact, Jennifer Schommer, may be reached at (202) 633-3121, or schommerj@si.edu