The exhibition will be on view from September 6 to October 18 at the Robert H. Jackson Center (photo) in Jamestown, NY coinciding with the center's Constitution Days.

We're pleased to announce the next stop for the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service Museum on Main Street exhibition "Voices and Votes: Democracy in America" will be the Robert H. Jackson Center (RHJC) in Jamestown. 

The center will use the Smithsonian exhibition to amplify New York State and Chautauqua County’s role in the development of American Democracy as the nation approaches its semiquincentennial.

“Voices and Votes is a wonderful way to celebrate Jamestown’s rich history and the RHJC’s mission while creating an opportunity to work with our partners to bring a Smithsonian exhibit to the area,” said RHJC President Kristan McMahon. “This opportunity perfectly aligns with our mission to educate our communities on issues of justice and civic participation, and the RHJC is the perfect venue to host this exhibit. Jamestown was the home of the American Voting Machine Company, and we’re looking forward to working with the Fenton History RHJC, Chautauqua County Historical Society, Chautauqua Institution, and other community partners to tell the story of our region as a seat of the democratic process.”

The exhibition will be on view from September 6 to October 18.

Dedicated to promoting the legacy of former US Attorney General under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, US Supreme Court Justice, and Chief US Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials, the RHJC serves as a museum, educational institution, and forum for discussions on legal and ethical issues focusing on advancing the principles of justice, law, and human rights. Jackson is remembered as one of the most articulate justices in the history of the Supreme Court, known for his ability to explain complex legal principles in clear, accessible language. His work at Nuremberg established important precedents in international criminal law. 

“The residents of Jamestown have a history of active participation in American Democracy,” said Agora Project Fellow Ren Lee. “From the legacy of Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson to the Jamestown-based companies that revolutionized the voting process with automatic voting machines, the RHJC has a unique opportunity to share stories of civic engagement. We’re excited to hear those stories from the past and learn how the RHJC continues Jackson’s influence and encourages active participation in democracy today.”

The exhibition coincides with the RHJC’s Constitution Days on September 17 and 18. It will feature a presentation by Dr. Karen Korematsu, who will speak about her father’s landmark US Supreme Court Case and the importance of civic participation.

Additional programming as part of the “A New Agora for New York: Museums as Spaces for Democracy” that will run during the exhibition includes a responsive exhibition focused on the Chautauqua Region’s voting story and an in-person Community Conversation led by Humanities New York Director of Grant-Making Joseph Murphy on September 25. Additionally, a teacher training workshop on October 4 will be led by New York State Museum Educator James Jenkins, who will align themes from the Voices and Votes and responsive exhibitions with New York State Learning Standard that encourages hands-on and inquiry-based classroom learning. 

MANY is the statewide organizer for the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service’s Museum on Main Street Program, which previously brought the “Water/Ways” exhibition to six New York Museums in 2019. The Museum on Main Street program offers traveling exhibitions, educational resources, and programming across America to communities through local museums, historical societies, and other cultural venues.

Learn more about the New York State tour of the Voices and Votes exhibition: https://agoranewyork.org/ and preview the full schedule of programming and events happening at the Robert H. Jackson Center.

Voices and Votes is a Museum on Main Street (MoMS) exhibition developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. It’s based on an exhibition by the National Museum of American History. It has been made possible in New York State by the Museum Association of New York. Support for MoMS in New York State has been provided by the United States Congress with additional funding from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. “A New Agora for New York: Museums as Spaces for Democracy” humanities discussion programs are made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.  About the Museum Association of New York The Museum Association of New York is the only statewide museum service organization with more than 780 member museums, historical societies, zoos, botanical gardens, and aquariums. MANY helps shape a better future for museums and museum professionals by uplifting best practices and building organizational capacity through advocacy, training, and networking opportunities. Visit www.nysmuseums.org and follow MANY on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn @nysmuseums  About the Robert H. Jackson Center The Robert H. Jackson Center advances Justice Robert H. Jackson's legacy through education, including live presentations, exhibitions, multimedia, research, and scholarship that demonstrate the relevance and applicability of Justice Jackson’s ideas to present and future generations. To learn more, visit roberthjackson.org.