SALISBURY, MD – Salisbury University’s Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture hosts the traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibit “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” as part of Maryland Humanities’ Museum on Main Street program August 14-September 25.
The Nabb Center also hosts the complementary exhibit “Voices and Votes: Democracy on Delmarva,” August 14-December 10, exploring expressions of democracy and highlighting stories of rebellion, resistance and perseverance that have shaped the peninsula’s past and present.
Both are on display at the Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons. An opening reception is scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday, August 17, in the first-floor lobby.
“‘Voices and Votes’ presents a timely opportunity for our campus and local community to reflect on the history of our democracy and the ongoing challenges that face our nation,” said Melinda McPeek, the center’s curator of exhibits and engagement.
“Creating greater awareness of the struggles encountered to secure and maintain our rights will hopefully impress upon our visitors the importance of civic engagement. We hope they walk away from the exhibit with the realization that their voice really does matter.”
Based on a major exhibition on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, “Democracy in America” shares many of the same dynamic features of the larger exhibit in Washington, D.C.: history and contemporary photos; educational and archival video; multimedia interactives with short games and additional footage, photos and information; and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia and protest material.
The Nabb Center is one of five locations in Maryland to host the exhibition.
“In addition to learning more about our country’s voting history, we’re looking forward to exploring the voting rights history of five diverse Maryland regions where our host sites are located,” said Lindsey Baker, executive director of Maryland Humanities. “We see the impact the lack of voting access has on many Americans today and can better understand current civil rights movements by looking at our history.”
Democracy on Delmarva,” in the center’s G. Ray Thompson Gallery, showcases images and artifacts from the Nabb Center’s collection, as well as stories and artifacts from local museums and libraries. Topics include women’s suffrage on the Eastern Shore; the civil rights movement in Cambridge, MD; SU student activism; and broader subjects such as the U.S. democratic system, voting and immigration.
Highlights include items from the center’s Nutters Election House collection. Part of the center’s Wicomico Historical Society Collection, the Nutters collection includes more than 2,500 objects and archival items from national, state and political campaigns spanning from 1820-2004.
‘Voices and Votes’ programming is supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the State of Maryland. Maryland Public Television is the tour’s Media Sponsor. The Nabb Center’s partners include the Eastern Shore Public Library, Ocean City Life-Saving Museum, Taylor House Museum, Worcester County Library, and SU’s Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (PACE) and Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art.
Admission to the opening reception is free and the public is invited. Besides the reception, prior to August 30, admission to the exhibits will be 1-4 p.m. August 17, 19, 24 and 26.
Beginning August 30, hours for “Democracy on Delmarva” are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. “Democracy in America” will be open during the Guerrieri Academic Commons’ regular operating hours, available at www.salisbury.edu/libraries/hours.aspx.
Those planning to attend must complete online COVID-19 symptom self-screening in advance at https://salisbury.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5AokYw5fOMp7b6e. Visitors not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to wear a face mask while inside campus buildings.
Those planning to park on campus must register in advance for a free parking pass at https://webapps.salisbury.edu/parking/visitor.
For more information call 410-543-6312 or visit the Nabb Center webpage at www.salisbury.edu/nabb.
