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At Voices and Votes, you’ll learn how everyone in every community is part of this ever-evolving story – the story of democracy in America.

Based on a major exhibition currently on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History called American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith, this exhibit and related experiences traces the bold American experiment of government run by and for the people.

Companion Exhibit:

The Winfield Chautauqua: “The Most American Thing in America”

From 1887 – 1924, Winfield’s Island Park was known as a regional destination for an annual summer Chautauqua. Modeled after the original Chautauqua founded in 1874 in New York, up to 10,000 attendees camped on the grounds of Island Park and attended lectures, skills classes, recreation, and social gatherings.

The Chautauqua provided a platform for social issues of the day to be revealed and discussed, for voices to be heard and democracy to flourish.