(WNY News Now) – Jamestown, NY – The Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown is set to host the Smithsonian’s “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” exhibition, showcasing the region’s pivotal role in shaping American democracy.
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.”
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.
This exhibition is supported by a Market New York grant awarded to the Museum Association of New York by Empire State Development and I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.
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
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