Smithsonian exhibit coming to Roanoke library in December

Roanoke’s Annie L. Awbrey Public Library will be one of five stops in Alabama for a Smithsonian Institute exhibit that explores the changes in rural life in America.

“Crossroads: Change in Rural America” will be at the Roanoke library from December 18, 2023 to February 2, 2024.

“This Smithsonian traveling exhibit looks at the remarkable evolution in rural life over the past century — and explores how Americans have responded and adapted,” the exhibit website explains. “The exhibit will be paired with local programming and allow visitors to consider the central role of rural Alabama in our shared future.”

The exhibit is a result of a combined effort of the Smithsonian Institute’s Museum on Main Street program and the Alabama Humanities Alliance. Once in Roanoke the exhibit will tie in with local entities, such as the Randolph County Historical Museum, Main Street Committee, and Handley High School Community Studies Class and School Career Development Center to provide events and information specific to Roanoke and Randolph County.

“We are excited to have the Smithsonian coming to the City of Roanoke,” said Roanoke mayor Jill Patterson-Hicks. “This exhibit reaches everyone in the community, from the oldest to the youngest. It allows everyone to look at where we have been and outline where we are going. We hope to build a sense of community involvement with presenting the Crossroads exhibit to Roanoke. Most of all, we are looking for innovative thinkers to step forward with new ideas for this great city.”

More information about the exhibit can be found at alabamahumanities.org/programs/crossroads-change-in-rural-america/.

Smithsonian