Just in time for Election Day, Munson will host “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” beginning Nov. 1 and ending Dec. 13, in the Munson Museum of Art Root Court in downtown Utica. A traveling exhibition organized by the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, “Voices and Votes” celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and its legacy on the progress of American democracy.
One of 12 museums in New York to host this exhibition, Voices and Votes brings American history alive through dynamic historical and contemporary photographs; educational and archival video; engaging multimedia interactives; and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia, and protest material.
As a polling place for Ward 5, District 7 and Ward 2, Districts 6 and 8, Munson is expecting hundreds of visitors on Election Day while exercising their right to vote.
“Voices and Votes stresses the personal experience of democracy,” said Munson Museum Education Director April Oswald. “For example, at each venue, community members record their individual observations about what democracy means to them, animating real life events such as becoming a citizen and gaining the right to vote.”
In celebration of this exhibition, Oneida County History Center has organized a companion exhibit, “An Essential Feature of Democracy: Lucy Carlile Watson.” Born in Utica in 1855, Watson dedicated her adult life to community service and women’s right-to-vote causes.
As president of the Utica Political Equality Club, Watson played an active role in bringing the suffrage campaign to central New York. Additionally, she helped found and lead the New Century Club, a Utica women’s club that provided space for cultural, educational, and social activities. This new display at the History Center showcases Watson’s life and the many contributions of local women in achieving equality and enhancing the lives of those in their community.
Along with their exhibition, the History Center will host the lecture, “Women Voted on this Land Before Columbus,” with Syracuse University professor Sally Roesch Wagner, a major scholar on the suffrage movement who has taught women’s studies for more than five decades. Wagner’s lecture will discuss how women of the Haudenosaunee Peoples in upstate New York may have shown early settlers how societies with empowered women could succeed.
“The History Center is excited to collaborate with Munson and Dr. Roesch Wagner to showcase local contributions and influences on the women’s suffrage movement and civic engagement,” said History Center Executive Director Rebecca McLain. “It is an honor to work across disciplines with these talented individuals. We encourage the public to visit both sites and hope they are inspired to learn more about their local and national history.”
Learn more about “Voices and Votes” at agoranewyork.org, and view the full schedule of programming and events happening at Munson at munson.art.
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