By Charlotte Reilly
The Durham Museum’s new traveling exhibit, American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith explores the creation of a government “of, by, and for the people.”
“This is a quick way to learn about the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, and its importance to us today,” said Durham volunteer Angela Partida.
The Durham is the first stop for this Smithsonian traveling exhibit, which opened March 2 and closes June 23.
“This is the first time we’ve got to launch an exhibition for the Smithsonian,” said Chief Curator Carrie Meyer. “You see it for the first time here, so we get it before Denver. We get it before Gettysburg, and all of these places that typically have seen it years before it comes here.”
The exhibit follows the story of the government’s creation. It highlights voting rights, and includes national artifacts, such as a recreation of Thomas Jefferson’s lap desk.
“This reproduction was made in 1823, and was one of the few that the carpenter was actually able to take measurements from the original,” Meyer said.
The exhibit also includes a large amount of Nebraska history.
“The Nebraska pieces just bring home those themes that it’s not something that happens elsewhere, it’s including everyone in every state,” Meyer said.
Visitors are able to interact with the exhibit through buttons and written activities.
“The exhibition is really designed to educate, but then also promoting that community dialogue and getting to talk about what does it mean to you to be a citizen,” Meyer said.
Visitors have commented on why they vote, their essential freedoms, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
“At the end of the day this exhibition is all about taking the historical lesson, and saying what can I do with that right now,” Meyer said.
