What is Voices and Votes

Voices and Votes: Democracy in America is a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit awarded to Georgia Writers Museum in collaboration with Georgia Humanities. This exhibit is part of the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program, which provides access to the Smithsonian Institution for small-town America.

LOCATION: Putnam County Administration Building - 117 Putnam Dr., Eatonton, GA

HOURS: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10 am - 4 pm. Thursday 2 pm - 8 pm

FREE ADMISSION

Why is this in Putnam County?

Putnam County is the first of only six towns in Georgia to receive this exhibit designed to celebrate, educate, and inspire attendees. It highlights the history of democracy in America and how voices (advocacy and protest) and votes have shaped our county. This exhibit comes to Georgia during the 250th birthday of the United States—America250.

How else are you celebrating America250?

Georgia Writers Museum and the Old School History Museum are leading the community-wide effort to host the exhibit at the Putnam County Administration Building. In addition to the exhibit from the Smithsonian, an auxiliary exhibit will spotlight the history of democracy in Putnam County.

During the six-week run of Voices and Votes in Putnam County, community partners are hosting auxiliary exhibits, presenting panel discussions, discussing readings, staging choral events, and opening visual art shows designed to celebrate and discuss American democracy. Partners include Eatonton Main Street, Butler-Baker Alumni Association, Putnam County Charter High School, Eatonton-Putnam County Library, The Artisans Village Art Gallery, Festival Hall, Steffen Thomas Museum of Art, the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce, The Eatonton Messenger, and many others.