North Carolina Humanities is bringing the Smithsonian Institution exhibition Americans to North Carolina. Exploring the how deeply intertwined American Indians are in the history, popular culture and identity of the United States, Americans will tour in six North Carolina communities between August 2027 – June 2028.
For over 15 years NC Humanities has partnered with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service Museum on Main Street Program to tour exhibitions that broaden understanding of our national stories and cultural heritage.
After a statewide call for communities to host this exhibition, NC Humanities has selected the following organizations to display the exhibition:
- Iredell County Public Library August 25 – Oct 6, 2027
- Mountain Heritage Center Oct 9 – Nov 22, 2027
- MUSE Winston-Salem Nov 28, 2027 – Jan 17, 2028
- The Elizabeth Keckly Center, The Burwell School Jan 20 – March 2, 2028
- Joyner Library March 5 – April 17, 2028
- Caldwell Heritage Museum April 20 – June 2, 2028
The tour begins in Statesville, NC then the exhibition travels to Cullowhee, Winston-Salem, Hillsborough, Greenville, and Lenoir, NC.
Based on a major exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., “Americans” highlights the ways in which American Indians have been part of the nation’s identity since before the country began. Images of American Indians are everywhere, from imagery on commercial products and professional and high school sports mascots, to classic Westerns and episodes of Seinfeld and South Park. Indian names are everywhere too, from state, city and street names to the Tomahawk missile. Beyond these images and names are familiar historical events and stories—Thanksgiving, Pocahontas, the Trail of Tears and Battle of Little Bighorn—that have become part of everyday conversation.
With program support and grant funding from North Carolina Humanities, the six communities will develop complementary exhibits and offer public programs and events that prompt discussions about local North Carolina issues, history, people, and stories.
Americans was developed by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. The exhibition was adapted for travel by Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and state humanities councils across the country. Support is provided by the Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250, a Smithsonian-wide initiative commemorating the nation’s 250th. Signature support for Smithsonian’s Our Shared Future: 250 has been provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. Additional generous contributions have been made by Target.
North Carolina Humanities has proudly partnered with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service for over a decade to bring nine unique Smithsonian exhibitions to over 35 different North Carolina small-town and rural museums, community colleges, libraries, and historic sites. In 2027 Americans is nationally touring in Arizona, California, Maryland, and North Carolina. To stay up to date with the North Carolina 2027 – 2028 tour of Americans please visit nchumanities.org.
About the exhibition: Americans is part of Museum on Main Street (MoMS), a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), state humanities councils across the nation, including North Carolina Humanities. SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for more than 70 years. North Carolina Humanities has worked with SITES for over 15 years to bring MoMS exhibitions to North Carolina’s small towns and rural communities. To learn more about Americans and other MoMS exhibitions, visit www.museumonmainstreet.org.
About North Carolina Humanities: Through public humanities programs and grantmaking, North Carolina Humanities connects North Carolinians with cultural experiences that spur dialogue, deepen human connections, and inspire community. North Carolina Humanities is a nonpartisan, statewide nonprofit, and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. To learn more, visit www.nchumanities.org.
NC Humanities Press Contact: nch@nchumanities.org