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Catalyzing conversations in rural Massachusetts.
free public events featuring exhibits curated by the Smithsonian and local historians.
civic discourse in rural communities.
local storytelling, history, and conversation with friends and neighbors.
exhibits, programs, and events that put local history in conversation with national history.
Museum on Main Street brings world-class exhibits to six rural communities in Massachusetts through a partnership between the Smithsonian, Mass Humanities, and rural organizations.
Communities are invited to be active co-creators and co-curators, supplementing and contextualizing the Smithsonian exhibition with local artifacts and programming. The exhibits then become a jumping off point for sparking and amplifying local storytelling, history, and conversation.
Host organizations work closely with support staff to curate their exhibitions, plan and publicize events, and more. Recipients of MoMS grants also receive funding to extend their programming for an additional year.
The 2025-2026 Museum on Main Street Tour will be “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America”
Applications to host “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” open on March 11. The deadline to complete a Letter of Inquiry is May 10.
Hosts will receive a grant of $10,000 to host the exhibit and create programming rooted in their community. Hosts will also take part in workshops and training to plan their programming and build community.
Hosts are eligible for a second year of funding to continue programs developed during their tour.
Learn more about applying for a Museum on Main Street grant.
April 19, 2025 – May 31, 2025: Mohawk Trail Regional School
June 7, 2025 – July 19, 2025: Town of Lee
July 26, 2025 – September 6, 2025: Ashby Free Public Library
September 13, 2025 – October 25, 2025: Douglas Historical Society
November 1, 2025 – December 13, 2025: Holbrook Public Library
December 20, 2025 – January 30, 2026: Nye Museum, East Sandwich
In 2022-23, Mass Humanities partnered with the Smithsonian Institute to bring the exhibition, “Crossroads: Changes in Rural America,” to six host organizations.
Free public programs brought local voices to the exhibit’s themes of identity, land, community, persistence, and managing change.
Crossroad Host Partners
Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum, The Hull Lifesaving Museum, Rutland Free Public Library, Great Falls Discovery Center, Turners Falls, Bushnell-Sage Library, Sheffield, Athol Public Library
Relive moments from our “Crossroads” exhibition in Turners Falls, Mass.
The 2022-2023 “Crossroads” Museum on Mainstreet exhibition was made possible by the generosity of the following sponsors.
Mass Humanities
66 Bridge Street,
Northampton, MA 01060
Mass Humanities
66 Bridge Street,
Northampton, MA 01060
