The world-famous Smithsonian Museum is coming to Bristow this summer, according to a statement from the Bristow Historical Society.
The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. has a huge complex that hosts over 30 million visitors annually. Established in 1846, the Smithsonian offers traveling displays to share with visitors at “host sites” across the country in order to reach travelers outside of the DC area.
The Bristow Historical Society has been selected to be a host site for the Smithsonian’s Voices and Votes: Democracy in American exhibition in 2024. The exhibit is part of another project called “Museum on Main Street,” a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the Oklahoma Humanities.
Bristow is one of only six Oklahoma locations to be selected for this program and is taking full advantage of the opportunity. Eighty-percent of the museum’s displays will be temporarily removed to make room for this “”dynamic exhibition,” which will feature historical and contemporary photos, educational videos and archives, “dynamic exhibition, which will feature historical and contemporary photos, educational and archival video, engaging multimedia interactives with short games and additional footage, photos, and information, and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia, and protest material.”
“It is the goal of this major Smithsonian exhibition to engage the community and remind each of the importance of voting, one of the greatest responsibilities of all Americans,” the statement said. “From the revolution and suffrage to civil rights and casting ballots, everyone in every community is part of this ever-evolving story—the story of democracy in America.”
The exhibition will be in Bristow for six weeks this summer from June 1st through July 13th and expected to be bring a lot of traffic and tourism dollars to local merchants. “Visitors to Bristow will find safe, friendly streets filled with family-owned businesses, great food venues, a huge city park with a brand new swimming pool for the kids, and a great place for a weekend staycation.”
The Bristow Train Depot turns 100 years old next year. It’s the only known depot and water tower left on the Frisco rail line. For more information, visit bristowhistory.org
