Voices and Votes:
Democracy in America
A New Agora for New York
Coming to New York State 2024–2026
"A New Agora for New York: Museums as Spaces for Democracy"
"A New Agora for New York: Museums as Spaces for Democracy" will explore the context and main controversies behind our democratic system including the principles and events that inspired the writers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, the struggle for civil rights, voting rights, and equal participation in our democracy; the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens; and the formal and informal processes of our political systems.
Tour Schedule
Mar 24 – May 3, 2024
Preservation Long Island
Cold Spring Harbor, NY
May 17 – Jun 28, 2024
Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site
Sackets Harbor, NY
Jul 12 – Aug 23, 2024
National Women's Hall of Fame
Seneca Falls, NY
Sept 6 – Oct 18, 2024
Robert H. Jackson Center
Jamestown, NY
Nov 11 – Dec 13, 2024
Munson
Utica, NY
Dec 27, 2024 – Feb 7, 2025
Alice Austen House Museum
Staten Island, NY
Feb 20 – Apr 6, 2025
Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center / Onondaga Historical Association
Liverpool, NY
Apr 18 – May 30, 2025
The Long Island Museum
Stony Brook, NY
Jun 3 – Jul 25, 2025
Genesee Country Village & Museum
Mumford, NY
Aug 8 – Sept 19, 2025
Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor
Buffalo, NY
Oct 3 – Nov 14, 2025
Chemung County Historical Society
Elmira, NY
Nov 28, 2025 – Jan 9, 2026
Underground Railroad Education Center
Albany, NY
Tour Schedule
Mar 24 – May 3, 2024
Preservation Long Island
Cold Spring Harbor, NY
Nov 11 – Dec 13, 2024
Munson
Utica, NY
Jun 3 – Jul 25, 2025
Genesee Country Village & Museum
Mumford, NY
May 17 – Jun 28, 2024
Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site
Sackets Harbor, NY
Dec 27, 2024 – Feb 7, 2025
Alice Austen House Museum
Staten Island, NY
Aug 8 – Sept 19, 2025
Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor
Buffalo, NY
Jul 12 – Aug 23, 2024
National Women's Hall of Fame
Seneca Falls, NY
Feb 20 – Apr 6, 2025
Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center / Onondaga Historical Association
Liverpool, NY
Oct 3 – Nov 14, 2025
Chemung County Historical Society
Elmira, NY
Sept 6 – Oct 18, 2024
Robert H. Jackson Center
Jamestown, NY
Apr 18 – May 30, 2025
The Long Island Museum
Stony Brook, NY
Nov 28, 2025 – Jan 9, 2026
Underground Railroad Education Center
Albany, NY
Project Participants and Host Sites
The Museum Association of New York is the statewide organizer for the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service's Museum on Main Street program bringing "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America" to twelve museums across New York State.
Based on a major exhibition currently on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, this traveling exhibition includes many of the same dynamic features: historical and contemporary photographs; educational and archival video; engaging multimedia interactives, and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia, and protest material.