The Smithsonian Institution's Museum on Main Street Exhibit

Voices and Votes: Democracy in America logo

Mohawk Trail Regional School (MTRS) is proud to be a host site for the 2025–2026 Smithsonian Institution's Voices and Votes: Democracy In America tour. Hosts receive a $10,000 grant to host the exhibit and create programming rooted in their community. 

We look forward to welcoming you to Mohawk Trail Regional High School, which will host the exhibit from April 19, 2025, through May 29, 2025, in its library. 

Exhibit Hours

  • Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

We will need volunteer docents to cover some of these hours. To share your interest and availability, please visit our Docent Sign-Up Genius or contact MTRS teacher Bethany Basal via email.

Open Exhibit Hours: Please note many of these hours will be held during a normal school day. There may be classes going on or groups of students visiting the library. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Related Events

We encourage you to engage in the related events that contribute perspectives from our rural community. These free events will take place in the MTRS library unless otherwise noted:

  • Thursday, April 17, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.: Exhibit Opening Night; followed by MTRS spring concert on the theme of protest
  • Saturday, April 26, noon to midnight: The Art Garden’s Hilltown Draw Around at Cowell Gymnasium; Respond creatively to “Voices and Votes” by attending the Hilltown Draw-Around in Shelburne Falls. There one of the community art-making prompts will focus on questions the exhibit explores. Draw, doodle, color, collage, and get creative with other community members. Pay what you can; draw what you want.
  • Thursday, May 1, 5:30 p.m.: Becoming an American; event co-hosted by Center for New Americans
  • Thursday, May 8, 7:00 p.m.: The Charlemont Forum: A Republic ... If You Can Keep It: Why Your Vote Still Matters: Why American democracy is most responsive to the wealthiest and most powerful participants, and the importance of getting involved through voting, organizing, protesting, and speaking.
  • Thursday, May 15, 5:30 p.m.: Food for Thought
  • Thursday, May 22, 6:00 p.m.: Trivia Night hosted by the League of Women Voters in the MTRS cafeteria
  • Thursday, May 29, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.: Exhibit Closing Night with political music; followed by MTRS senior awards night

About This Program

Mass Humanities believes everyone deserves access to quality museum exhibitions. That’s why they partner with small towns to bring the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMs) to Massachusetts, with the goal of engaging small town audiences and revitalizing attention to rural communities.

Through This Program, You Can:

  • Attend free public events featuring exhibits curated by the Smithsonian and local historians.
  • Revitalize civic discourse in rural communities.
  • Spark local storytelling, history, and conversation with friends and neighbors.
  • Create exhibits, programs, and events that put local history in conversation with national history.