As part of Illinois Humanities’ Museum on Main Street program, Jacksonville Area Museum is one of six sites in Illinois chosen to host a traveling exhibit entitled Voices and Votes: Democracy in America. “We’ve been open to the public less than two months, so to be chosen to host this prestigious exhibit is truly an honor,” said Jacksonville Area Museum Board Chairman David Blanchette. “Voices and Votes tells the engaging story of our democracy and what it truly means, and the topic couldn’t be more relevant today.”

The Voices and Votes exhibit is available during the museum’s regular hours of operation of 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays through December 22, 2021.

Voices and Votes: Democracy in America examines questions stemming from the leap of faith taken by the American revolutionaries who established a government that entrusted the power of the nation not in a monarchy but in its citizens. It delves into topics such as who has the right to vote, what are the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens, and whose voices are heard in our democracy. It asks the questions: Who has the right to vote? What are the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens? Whose voices will be heard?.

The Jacksonville Area Museum has developed a companion exhibit for Voices and Votes, called “The Machinery of Democracy”. “The Machinery of Democracy” exhibit uses original local artifacts to demonstrate how area citizens have exercised their democratic rights in the past.

Learn more about Jacksonville Area Museum’s programming around Voices and Votes on their Facebook page or contact them via their website.

Learn more about Illinois Humanities’ Museum on Main Street program. You may also contact Matt Meacham at matt.meacham@ilhumanities.org for more information.