Traveling Smithsonian exhibit on display in Equality

Illinois Humanities has launched its "Spark! Places of Innovation" statewide tour with an exhibit in Equality.

The newest traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street program will tour seven towns in Illinois through spring 2024. Illinois Humanities partners with the Smithsonian to bring world-class, multimedia Smithsonian exhibitions to small towns and rural communities in Illinois.

The national exhibition features seven Illinois towns: Equality (Gallatin County), Hillsboro (Montgomery County), Chatsworth (Livingston County), Rushville (Schuyler County), Marshall (Clark County), Atlanta (Logan County) and Fairbury (Livingston County). The tour will visit five of the Illinois communities featured in Spark! (Equality, Hillsboro, Chatsworth, Rushville and Marshall), as well as Durand (Winnebago County) and Havana (Mason County).

"We couldn't be prouder to premier this national traveling Smithsonian exhibition right here in Illinois," says Illinois Humanities Executive Director Gabrielle Lyon. "Not only does the exhibit prominently feature our rural communities, but each tour stop highlights beautiful examples of the state's spirit of invention and resourcefulness. Since each site features unique programming and local stories, it's a great excuse to visit the show at more than one location." 

Through partnerships with organizations local to each community, every tour stop will showcase the town's homegrown stories, local events and history.

The exhibition premieres in Equality, where it is locally hosted by the Gallatin County Tourism Committee.

Spark! is Illinois Humanities' 13th collaboration with Museum on Main Street. The exhibit is on display through July 27 in Equality at the Ohio River Visitor Center, 101 W. Lane St.