Press Releases

ST. LOUIS, MO– The 2010 tour of New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music will travel throughout the state of Missouri sharing the story of how America’s music culture has been formed by everyday people and communities.

The exhibit is brought to Missouri through the Museum on Main Street partnership between the Missouri Humanities Council and the Smithsonian Institution. New Harmonies began its 2010 journey in Jefferson City at the Inman E. Page Library at Lincoln University on Jan. 23.

Prior to the tour kick off, representatives from the seven communities hosting the exhibit met in Jefferson City for a training workshop with Carol Harsh, the Smithsonian Institution’s Director of the Museum on Main Street program.

“The communities are so excited to be hosting the New Harmonies exhibit this year,” said Patricia Zahn, Associate Director and program coordinator for the Missouri Humanities Council. “They are so engaged and have a multitude of activities planned to really help people get involved in the celebration of roots music.”

New Harmonies explores gospel, country, blues and other forms of roots music through photographs, recordings, instruments, lyrics and artist profiles.

“The New Harmonies exhibit doesn’t just teach you how the music sounds, it’s about the whole context surrounding the music,” said Matt Meacham, consultant to the Humanities Council. “It uses music as a way to teach about American history and culture and shows how people have used the arts to comment and contribute to history and culture. The greatest strength of this exhibit is that it demonstrates how music can teach us who we are as Americans.”

Visitors are free to travel through the exhibit listening to music and learning on their own or with a guide. Guides help visitors personally connect to the exhibit through conversations and observations on the exhibit themes.

New Harmonies will be on tour in the following seven Missouri cities throughout 2010:

• Jefferson City—Jan. 23- March 6, Lincoln University, Inman E. Page Library
• Unionville—March 13- April 24, Putnam Historical Society Museum
• Hannibal—May 1- June 12, Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum
• Cassville—June 19- July 31, Barry County Museum
• Trenton— Aug. 7 – Sept. 18, Grundy County Historical Society and Museum
• Nevada—Sept.25 – Nov. 6, Vernon County Historical Society/ Bushwhacker Museum
• Maryville—Nov.15 – Dec. 26, Nodaway County Historical Society

“The Museum on Main Street partnership is such an inspirational program,” said Patricia Zahn. “It provides the opportunity to support people who want to bring new life to the work they do in their communities. They are enthusiastic and ready to do what it takes to make their museums even more successful.”

For more details about the 2010 New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music tour and the associated calendar and special events planned for each site, contact the Missouri Humanities Council at 800-357-0909 or view the Missouri Humanities Council Web site at www.mohumanities.org.
Those community organizations interested in Museum on Main Street programming for 2011 should contact the Missouri Humanities Council to discuss available opportunities in their areas.

About the Missouri Humanities Council
The Missouri Humanities Council was founded in 1971 as an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. It serves to act as a catalyst for cultural organizations, helping them to connect with people and communities in dynamic ways that spark the deep excitement for story and learning that builds character, intellect, and understanding.
The Missouri Humanities Council is recognized for its partnerships that make humanities institutions and programs more dynamic. The Council supports these cultural organizations through a variety of means including consultative training, mentoring, grants, exhibit tours, literature and other resources. The Council also sponsors the annual Governor’s Humanities Awards which acknowledge individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions in the humanities. More information about the many projects of MHC can be found on the Council Web site at www.mohumanities.org or by calling 1-800-357-0909.
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