Museum on Main Street
New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music
- Zydeco accordionist Nathan Williams in a parade. Photo by Philip Gould
In March 2008, Humanities Tennessee's fifth Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition will open in Tennessee. New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music presents the story of music and music traditions, exploring the sounds and songs that evolved into American music alongside the nation itself. With instruments, photographs, artifacts, and audio components, New Harmonies explores the regional and social history of America as expressed by the diverse origins and transformations of music traditions. Host communities will present related programs, such as exhibits, photo essays, oral histories, or book and film discussions, based on local history research. From string bands to blues traditions to shape note singing to instrument making, the New Harmonies hosts' topics will illuminate one of the most original and celebrated sources of Tennessee identity — our music.
- Native American Powwow. National Museum of the American Indian National Powwow, Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. 08/14/05. Photo by Walter Larrimore
The exhibition will be hosted in Tennessee by six organizations across the state, including:
- March 15–April 27, 2008
- Campbell Co. Historical Society & Museum/Campbell Co. Cultural Coalition, LaFollette
- May 3–June 15, 2008
- Green McAdoo Cultural Organization, Clinton
- June 21–August 3, 2008
- Free Hill Community Club, Inc., Celina
- Gospel great Mahalia Jackson. Photo by Les Leverett
- August 9–September 21, 2008
- Hardeman County Chapter, APTA, Bolivar
- September 27–November 9, 2008
- Smith County Heritage Museum, Carthage
- November 15–December 28, 2008
- West Tennessee Discovery Museum, Jackson
We will continually add program and event information to this website so check back often for New Harmonies updates. For more information, please contact Melissa Davis at melissa@humanitiestennessee.org or 615-770-0006, ext. 16.
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