Smithsonian Taking The Crossroads To Kimball

Tim Nolting, president of the Plains Historical Museum, extended a personal invitation to the Kimball City Council members requesting their attendance at the opening of the Smithsonian exhibit on Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. His invitation and explanation of the exhibit occurred at the Aug. 17 Kimball City Council meeting.

The Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition is titled “Crossroads: Change in Rural America.” The exhibit will be open to the public September 11-30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except Sundays. Since it is a federal program, masks will be required to see the exhibit at the Fraternal Hall in downtown Kimball.

According to the Smithsonian website: “In 1900, about 40% of Americans lived in rural areas. By 2010, less than 18% of the U.S. population lived in rural areas. In just over a century, massive economic and social changes moved millions of Americans into urban areas. Yet, only 10% of the U.S. landmass is considered urban.”

The exhibit is a chance for rural communities to re-evaluate and look to the future for changes and a rebirth.

“Crossroads: Change in Rural American” comprises five free-standing exhibition units with photographs, text panels, objects, video monitor, free-standing touchscreen interactive computer kiosks featuring video and audio content, and exhibition support materials for state and local coordinators.

Third District Rep. Adrian Smith will make opening remarks Sept. 11. The event is open to the public.

Area schools also are making plans to experience the exhibit.

In addition to the exhibit, the Plains Historical Museum will be sponsoring panel discussions and additional speakers. On Sept. 15, a panel discussion on Kimball County Area Businesses, “Then and Now,” will be held, and on Sept. 22, a panel discussion will address “Agriculture, Then and Now.”

The City Council meeting continued with an approval to accept the consent agenda and then a vote to adjourn the meeting.