Voices and Votes: Democracy in America
Appalachian State's Department of Government and Justice Studies (GJS) has been awarded the opportunity to host the Smithsonian exhibit "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America." Made possible through a grant from North Carolina Humanities, the exhibit will be located in the Wiseman's View Lounge on the second floor of the Plemmons Student Union from Tuesday, October 22, through Monday, December 2, coinciding with the 2024 Presidential Election.
"Voices and Votes: Democracy in America" Exhibit
Dates: Tuesday, Oct. 22 - Monday, Dec. 2, 2024
Location: Wiseman's View Lounge, 2nd Floor, Plemmons Student Union (Campus map available at maps.appstate.edu.)
Details: The exhibit is free and open to the public. For a disability accommodation, visit odr.appstate.edu.
Parking: Campus parking is free on weekends and weekdays after 5 p.m. Paid visitor parking is available in the Rivers Street Parking Deck.
Tours: Faculty members from the political science program will be available to lead exhibit tours for student groups, including K-12.
Contact: Those interested in scheduling a tour should contact the Department of GJS via phone at (828) 262-3085 or via email at gjs@appstate.edu.
About the Exhibit
When American revolutionaries waged a war for independence they took a leap of faith that sent ripple effects across generations. They embraced a radical idea of establishing a government that entrusted the power of the nation not in a monarchy, but in its citizens. That great leap sparked questions that continue to impact Americans: who has the right to vote, what are the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens and whose voices will be heard? "Voices and Votes" serves as a springboard for discussions about those very questions and how they are reflected in local stories.
Our democracy demands action, reaction, vision and revision as we continue to question how to form “a more perfect union.” How do you participate as a citizen? 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.
"Voices and Votes" is a Museum on Main Street (MoMS) exhibition. MoMS exhibitions are available for booking by state humanities councils or other statewide organizations, including universities.
The MoMS adaptation of the exhibit is based on a major exhibition on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, DC. The MoMS adaptation features many of the same features, including historical and contemporary photos; educational and archival video; engaging multimedia interactives with short games and additional footage, photos and information and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia and protest material.
To learn more about the exhibit, check out these conversation starter videos published by the Smithsonian: