Smithsonian’s “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” Traveling Exhibition Coming to French Lick in 2026
French Lick, IN — The Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCCVB) is proud to announce that it has been selected as one of seven Indiana host sites for the Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibition, Voices and Votes: Democracy in America. The exhibition will be on display at the French Lick Visitors Center from May 16 through June 28, 2026, as part of the nationwide Museum on Main Street program in collaboration with Indiana Humanities.
Designed for small-town museums, libraries, and cultural organizations, Voices and Votes explores the ideals of American democracy and how generations of citizens have worked — and continue to work — to shape the nation. The French Lick exhibit will serve as a community meeting place for conversations about democracy, civic life, freedom, and participation in government.
In addition to the Smithsonian-curated displays, OCCVB will develop local exhibitions and public programs to complement the national narrative. These free events will include historical references to Orange County Indiana — from it's founding, to notable figures from the area, to the destination's role in state and national politics and decisions.
“This is more than an exhibition—it’s an invitation to reflect on our collective past, celebrate the present, and imagine the future of democracy in our community,” said OCCVB Executive Director Joe Lannan, “We’re honored to bring this meaningful experience to the residents of and the over 1 million annual visitors to French Lick and West Baden.”
With the support of Indiana Humanities and the Smithsonian, communities like French Lick will use the exhibit to explore not just national milestones, but also their local stories of civic engagement—highlighting the joys and challenges of living rural, how change has shaped their town, and what lies ahead.
Voices and Votes is based on an exhibition currently on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History called American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith.
To learn more about the exhibition and its national tour, visit:
https://museumonmainstreet.org
About Museum on Main Street
Museum on Main Street (MoMS) is a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), state humanities councils across the U.S., and local institutions like OCCVB. MoMS brings high-quality Smithsonian exhibitions and educational programs to small towns across America.
Support for MoMS has been provided by the U.S. Congress.
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