Dear Editor,
May’s Historic Preservation Month coincides with another important celebration approaching in July, as the United States prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary — the semiquincentennial.
Locally, Putnam County has already begun marking the occasion by hosting the Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibit, “Voices & Votes,” through May 30. The exhibit explores the history of American democracy and is free and open to the public at the Putnam County Administrative Building, located at 117 Putnam Drive in Eatonton.
Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 2 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Mondays and Tuesdays are reserved for school field trips. In addition to the Smithsonian exhibit, an excellent companion exhibit, “The History of Democracy in Putnam County,” is also on display.
Throughout the exhibit’s stay, a variety of community programs and events have been planned to celebrate our nation through the arts, music, and education. Additional information is available through the Georgia Writers Museum.
Upcoming events include:
• May 23 — “Searching for Ancestors: African American Genealogy,” at The Plaza Arts Center
• May 30 — “African American Genealogy,” at the Putnam County Administrative Building
Ongoing exhibits through May 31 include:
• “Beyond Rosie: Women in WWII,” at the Old School History Museum in Eatonton
• “Books on Democracy” and “Refuge of Refusal: Turning Point in Immigration History” displays at the Eatonton Public Library
• “Banned Books” display at the Georgia Writers Museum in Eatonton
• “America the Beautiful” art show at The Artisan’s Gallery in Eatonton
• “Becoming a U.S. Citizen,” at the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art in Buckhead
Eatonton is the first of six Georgia cities selected to host the Smithsonian exhibit tour in 2026-27, made possible through support from Georgia Humanities, the Georgia Writers Museum, the Old School History Museum, Putnam County, and the City of Eatonton.
It has been a wonderful gift to our community as we begin celebrating our nation’s 250th year.
Lyn Romine
Historic Preservation Commission Chair
Eatonton