The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street, in cooperation with Idaho Humanities Council, presents “Crossroads: Change in Rural America.” The exhibition examining the evolving landscape of rural American opens at the Lemhi County Museum’s River of History Exhibit on November 30, 2019. “Crossroads” will be on view at 204 Main Street through January 10, 2020. The Lemhi County Historical Society and Museum, the Sacajawea Center and the Salmon Arts Council are partnering to host the exhibit this winter. 

Salmon and the surrounding community has been expressly chosen by the Idaho Humanities Council to host “Crossroads” as part of the Museum on Main Street program—a national/state/local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations. The exhibition will tour 6 communities in Idaho beginning August 23, 2019 in Moscow and ending June 5, 2020 in Nampa. 

“Crossroads” explores how rural American communities changed in the 20th century. From sea to shining sea, the vast majority of the United States landscape remains rural with only 3.5% of the landmass considered urban. Since 1900, the percentage of Americans living in rural areas dropped from 60% to 17%. The exhibition looks at that remarkable societal change and how rural Americans responded.

Americans have relied on rural crossroads for generations. These places where people gather to exchange goods, services and culture and to engage in political and community discussions are an important part of our cultural fabric. Despite the massive economic and demographic impacts brought on by these changes, America’s small towns continue to creatively focus on new opportunities for growth and development. 

“‘Crossroads’ will allow us to reflect on Lemhi County’s history, present and future and we are excited to explore what the future may hold for our community,” said Dr. Hope Benedict, President of the Lemhi County Historical Society and Museum. “We want to convene conversations about what makes our community unique and will be developing local exhibitions and public programs to complement the Smithsonian exhibition.”

Designed for small-town museums, libraries and cultural organizations, “Crossroads” will serve as a community meeting place for conversations about how rural America has changed. With the support and guidance of Idaho 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. 

The exhibition is part of Museum on Main Street, a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), state humanities councils across the nation, and local host institutions. To learn more about “Crossroads” and other Museum on Main Street exhibitions, visit www.museumonmainstreet.org. 

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 www.sites.si.edu. 

Contact the Lemhi County Museum for more details: 208.756.7885.