Voices and Votes: Democracy in America March 2023 - January 2024

In 2023, Humanities Kansas launched a special Kansas tour of Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, the new Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition from Museum on Main Street. The exhibit explored the history of American democracy and toured six Kansas communities between March 25, 2023, through January 7, 2024.

Voices ​and Votes Smithsonian Host Communities​

These organizations brought the Smithsonian exhibition to the​ir hometown:​​​

Boot Hill Museum, Dodge City​
March 25 – May 7, 2023​​​​​

​Mid-America All-Indian Museum, Wichita            
May 13 – June 25, 2023​​

Nicodemus National Historic Site                        ​
July 1 – August 13, 2023​

Franklin County Historical Society, Ottawa            
August 19 – October 1, 2023

Winfield Public Library                                      ​​​
October 7 – November 19, 2023

​Republic County Historical Society, Belleville      
November 25, 2023 – January 7, 2024

Host Site Resources

​​​​​About Voices and Votes

​Voices and Votes: Democracy in America traces the bold American experiment of a government run by and for the people. The exhibit examines the influences that shaped the early days of American democracy and the changes that have occurred in the nearly 250 years since.

Democracy is a form of government that requires civic engagement and participation. It is formed by citizens’ responses to ongoing questions: What are the rights and responsibilities of citizens? What is the role of the government in American life? How do citizens participate in democracy? Beginning with the American Revolution, this exhibition explores these questions and more.

Voices and Votes: Democracy in America content can be translated to Spanish and other languages or converted into an audio format. Access accessibilty resources below.

Voices and Votes Accessible Resources

HK provides an inclusive online experience enabling visitors to access online content for Voices and Votes barrier-free. Both Audio and Spanish language translations of the exhibition are available. Explore accessible resources. 

​​Voices and Votes Sidewalk Civics Tour​​​​​​

​​What does American democracy look like? The Sidewalk Civics tour explores the ways Kansans have memorialized democracy through monuments, civic architecture, and more! Take the tour on your smartphone with the Clio - Your Guide to History app or visit theclio.com to explore stories of democracy in Kansas at doezens of sites. 

Voices and Votes: Democracy in America was made possible in Kansas by Humanities Kansas with support from "A More Perfect Union: America at 250" an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities, HK Friends of the Humanities, and the following partners:

​​Special thanks to the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home.

Gallery

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Miss Kitty helps announce that "Voices and Votes" is coming to Boot Hill Museum in March 2023!

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Staff at the Mid-America All-Indian Museum are excited to host "Voices and Votes" in May 2023!

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The staff at the Nicodemus National Historic Site are excited to host "Voices and Votes."

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The students of Mrs. Kathie Wingert's fifth-grade class at Sunflower Elementary (USD 290) in Ottawa, Kansas, helped Franklin County Historical Society announce their selection for "Voices and Votes" during a One-Room School field trip.

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The Winfield Public Library youth book club helps announce that "Voices and Votes" is coming to Winfield!

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Belleville community members help announce "Voices and Votes" is coming to Belleville!

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National Woman’s Party march for woman’s suffrage, Washington, D.C. February 14, 1917. Photograph, gift of Alice Paul Centennial Foundation, National Museum of American History.

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“The First Vote,” drawn by A.R. Waud appeared in Harper’s Weekly, November 1867. Courtesy of Library of Congress.

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Some postcards used images of children to project a nonthreatening image of women voters. The National American Woman Suffrage Association began a postcard campaign in 1910, partly to raise awareness of the cause and partly as a fundraiser. The cards could be funny, serious, or sentimental. Some employed powerful patriotic symbols and logical arguments to make their case for woman’s right to vote.

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“Naturalization Ceremony at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello,” July 4, 2013.

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March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, August 28, 1963 by Rowland Scherman. Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration.

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This sign was designed to be placed in the window of a home so that all who passed would know that the woman within had exercised her right under the 19th amendment and registered to vote. It also served as a reminder to other women to do the same.

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