Crossroads: Change in Rural America comes to Huntsville
An insightful journey through rural America
The small town of Huntsville, Alabama was recently graced by the Smithsonian Museum on Main Street Traveling Exhibit, “Crossroads: Change in Rural America.” The exhibit, which took place at the Triana Public Library from February 14 to April 12, offered a unique look into the transformation of rural America during the 20th century.
Presented on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 1-6 PM, and on Saturdays from 12-4 PM, the Crossroads Exhibit aimed to explore how people responded to the rapid changes in their rural communities during the 20th century. The exhibit also hoped to prompt people everywhere to think about the future of our rural landscapes and societies.
The Changing Face of Rural America
During the 20th century, people within rural communities bore witness to some dramatic shifts in their lives. Changes in agriculture and infrastructure, as well as the pressing need for economic adaptation, redefined the very essence of living in rural America. Crossroads: Change in Rural America aims to explore these changes—how they occurred and how rural citizens navigated their way through them.
One local resident who viewed the exhibit said, “The Crossroads exhibit was a splendid testament to the resilience and adaptability of rural Americans. It provided interesting insights into how our country’s rural landscapes have evolved over the decades.”
Delving into change and transformations
The exhibit opened its doors every week, welcoming residents who were looking to better understand the transformations experienced in rural America during the 20th century. In a bid to explore these developments, the Crossroads Exhibit showcased a selection of thought-provoking sections that dealt with the rise of industrial farming, the emergence of rural electrification, the development of highways, and much more.
Looking to the future
But the exhibit did not just focus on the past. The belief behind “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” was that people everywhere, not just in rural areas, will play a crucial role in determining the future of rural communities. By providing attendees with a lens to view the past and present of rural America, the exhibit hoped to engage visitors in thinking about the potential future of these communities.
As another visitor commented, “The exhibit brought to life the experiences of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, and made me think about what my children and grandchildren’s experiences might be. It makes you realize how all our decisions and actions can shape the future.”
The Smithsonian Museum on Main Street Traveling Exhibit, “Crossroads: Change in Rural America,” was a unique opportunity for Huntsville residents to learn about the past, present, and potential future changes in rural landscapes. Those who visited the exhibit left not only with a much deeper understanding of these issues but also with a renewed view of their role in guiding the future of their own communities.
Final Words
It’s experiences and reflections like these that make exhibits like the Crossroads not only informative but transformative and deeply personal. Placing focus on one of America’s often-unnoticed areas—its rural communities—the exhibit provided visitors with a rare view into the challenges and navigations of rural Americans over the century. For our community in Huntsville, it served to remind us all about our shared history, our potential for resilience, and our role in shaping our shared future.
