Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition about Rural America coming to Newberry

In 1900, about 40% of Americans lived in rural areas. By 2010, less than 18% of the U.S. population lived in rural areas. In just over a century, massive economic and social changes moved millions of Americans into urban areas. Still, nearly 60 million Americans live in rural areas, and the United States needs vibrant and sustainable rural communities. The Newberry Opera House, in cooperation with SC Humanities, will investigate the changes that have affected small towns over the past century as it hosts Crossroads: Change in Rural America, a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program. Crossroads will be on view in Newberry from December 12, 2018 through February, 2019.

The Newberry Opera House and the surrounding community has been expressly chosen by SC Humanities in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution, through a competitive application process to host Crossroads: Change in Rural America as part of the Museum on Main Street program—a national/state/local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations. The exhibition will tour six communities in South Carolina from September 2018 through June 2019. An itinerary is attached.

Crossroads offers small towns a chance to envision their futures and engage in discussions about what happened when America’s rural population became a minority of the country’s population and the ripple effects that occurred. Despite the massive economic and demographic impacts brought on by these changes, America’s small towns creatively continue to find new opportunities for growth and development.

“We are very excited to be able to bring Crossroads to the Newberry and Midlands communities,” said Molly Fortune, Executive Director of the Newberry Opera House. “It allows us the opportunity to explore this fascinating aspect of our own region’s history, and we hope that it will inspire many to become even more involved in the cultural life of our community.  The Opera House in Newberry was a central meeting place for City business as well as world class entertainment for our county and region.  Therefore it is a perfect fit to have the museum housed in the historical central gathering place of the Opera House. Home to conversation and enlightenment since 1881.”

“SC Humanities is one of the first three states to host this new Smithsonian exhibit, joining Illinois and Florida,” said Dr. Randy L. Akers, Executive Director of SC Humanities. “I grew up in a farming village of 600 people in rural Illinois and have seen the devastating changes as small farms collapse, industry moves out, young people move to the city, and schools close. South Carolina is a rural state, and its numerous small communities have experienced many changes over the past decades. Yet there are people, values, and cultural and historical assets that offer hope. This exhibit and the programs which will accompany it will challenge us to think about the future. What can we do to bring new life to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in our state? This is a timely and extremely important exhibit addressing one of the most pressing social issues of this century.”

Crossroads: Change in Rural America is part of Museum on Main Street, a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), state humanities councils across the nation, and local host institutions. To learn more about Crossroads and other Museum on Main Street exhibitions, visit www.museumonmainstreet.org. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. Established in 1973, this 501(c) 3 organization is governed by a volunteer 21-member Board of Directors comprised of community leaders from throughout the state. It presents and/or supports literary initiatives, lectures, exhibits, festivals, publications, oral history projects, videos and other humanities-based experiences that directly or indirectly reach more than 250,000 citizens annually. www.schumanities.org

Its stage has been graced by many artists and entertainers who history now considers legendary. Originally built in 1882 and renovated and reopened as of 1998, The Newberry Opera House is one of North America’s premier historical theaters and performing arts venues.  Authentic and relevant experiences are what you can expect from the Newberry Opera House. Being the central driving force for economic development through the performing arts for 19 years is just a window for bigger and better events and experiences in Newberry. With the Opera House hosting over 200 dynamic and diverse shows a year and close to 56,000 guests enjoying a seat, not to mention over 100,000 visitors to the shops, restaurants and streets of Newberry.  As the Newberry Opera House begins the 20th season of success for the state and region, the organization posed the thought, “Thinking beyond the Tower.”   The Tower is the iconic feature prominently displayed throughout the City and County. Yet as the celebration of 20 years begins, homage needs to be paid to those organizations, groups and people who breathed new life into the Old Grand Victorian Lady. How can the Opera House assist the community and region who saved her? Thinking beyond the tower unleashes the power of the collective and places the Opera House in a position to assist the community who has been assisting her these last 136 years. www.newberryoperahouse.com

Situated between Greenville and Columbia, Newberry is the heart of the Midlands and the rural beauty of South Carolina. With small town charm, yet easy access to major interstates and amenities, Newberry is perfectly situated between the mountains and the beach.