This article originally appeared in the Carmi Times.

Carmi, Ill. — White County residents have grown accustomed to the annual summer Night Under the Stars concerts, presented by the Carmi League of Arts at Library Park in Carmi.

But this summer, music-lovers will have the chance not only to attend those free concerts but six others, scheduled by the White County Historical Society.

And the society, in conjunction with the Illinois Humanities Council, has also brought a special Smithsonian Institution exhibit on American music to Carmi.

Marjorie Fechtig, a past president of the historical society, told Carmi Kiwanians Thursday about the society’s concerts and the exhibit, entitled “New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.”

“New Harmonies” (the name chosen by the Smithsonian which bears only a coincidental resemblance to the name of the historic Posey County town) will open Saturday, May 29 on the second floor of the L. Haas Store Museum in downtown Carmi.

It will remain open from 1 to 6 p.m. each Wednesday through Sunday through July 10.

The exhibit tells the story of music from America’s roots, Fechtig told the club, including blues, country and Western, folk and gospel, with instruments ranging from fiddle and banjo to accordion and guitar.

It consists of 800 square feet of display, with 13 interactive and audio components.

The exhibit is divided into five sections, the club was told. One is devoted to sacred music, another to country music and a third to the blues.

Please see today’s issue of The Carmi Times for more information.