Syracuse, NY – The Onondaga Historical Association (OHA) will host the Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibition, Voices and Votes: Democracy in America, from April 18 through May 30, 2025 at the Skänoñh Great Law of Peace Center on Onondaga Lake Parkway.
Adapted from American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith currently on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Voices and Votes includes historical and contemporary photographs; educational and archival video; engaging multimedia interactives; and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia, and protest material.
OHA and the Skänoñh—Great Law of Peace Center are dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of Central New York. OHA is a nonprofit organization that collects, interprets, and presents the region’s past through exhibits, programs, and educational initiatives, ensuring that local stories remain accessible for generations to come. The Skänoñh Center, operated by OHA, focuses on the history, culture, and living traditions of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, with a particular emphasis on the Onondaga Nation, the Central Firekeepers of the Confederacy.
As part of the “A New Agora for New York” project, OHA and the Skänoñh Great Law of Peace Center will host a response exhibition entitled Nation to Nation: Haudenosaunee Influence on American Democracy. Visitors will have the opportunity to gain insight into how the governance structures and values of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy helped shape foundational aspects of the U.S. democratic system, the women’s rights movement, and the sovereignty of the Onondaga Nation.
“Five nations came together under the Great Law of Peace here by Onondaga Lake long before the 13 colonies declared their independence from British rule. Nations to Nation not only shares this history, but reminds visitors that the Haudenosaunee people continue to live by these principles of governance today,” said Emerson Shenandoah, Onondaga Snipe Clan Member and Director of the Skä-noñh Great Law of Peace Center.
“This exhibition provides a space for greater understanding and meaningful discussion about the ideals of a participatory democracy,” said Lisa Moore, Executive Director at the Onondaga Historical Association, “visitors will learn how the concepts and practices of the Haudenosaunee Great Law of Peace can be found in the United States Constitution.”
In addition, OHA will host a second response exhibition at its downtown museum, entitled Revolutions and Relationships: The Evolution of American Democracy, in celebration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. Located at 321 Montgomery St. in Syracuse, this exhibition will explore the ongoing development of democracy in America, tracing its evolution through pivotal moments, influential figures, and the interplay between governance and society over the past two and a half centuries.
The exhibition is part of the Museum Association of New York’s humanities discussion series “A New Agora for New York: Museums as Spaces for Democracy.” OHA and the Skänoñh Great Law of Peace Center will use the Smithsonian exhibition as a launching point to explore, reflect on, and tell the story of the evolution of American democracy, including the relationships between the Haudenosaunee and the drafters of America’s founding documents. The programs will feature guest lectures, book discussions, and interactive workshops that dive deeper into the evolution of what it means to be an American.
“The Skänoñh Center and OHA have been partners in this project from almost the beginning and we are thrilled to see the exhibition finally make it to the Skänoñh Center.” Said MANY’s Agora Project Fellow, Ren Lee. “The stories told at the Skänoñh center and in their response exhibitions are ones that need to be shared across the nation and MANY is happy to help in this small way.”
The exhibition will be open to the public daily from 10:00 am- 5:00 pm at the Skänoñh Great Law of Peace Center, located at 6680 Onondaga Lake Parkway, Liverpool, NY 13088, with special programming and events planned throughout its run. Additional details about related events and programming can be found at agoranewyork.org/programs-and-events.
We would like to extend a special thank you to our generous local sponsors who have made this exhibition possible: Cathedral Candle Company, Community Bank, C&S Companies, Le Moyne College, OneGroup, M&T Bank, Slutzker Family Foundation, and Paulus Development.
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Voices and Votes is a Museum on Main Street (MoMS) exhibition developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. It’s based on an exhibition by the National Museum of American History. It has been made possible in New York State by the Museum Association of New York. Support for MoMS in New York State has been provided by the United States Congress and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.
“A New Agora for New York: Museums as Spaces for Democracy” humanities discussion programs are made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
About Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service
SITES has been sharing the wealth of Smithsonian collections and research programs with millions of people outside Washington, D.C., for more than 65 years. SITES connects Americans to their shared cultural heritage through a wide range of exhibitions about art, science and history, which are shown wherever people live, work and play. For exhibition description and tour schedules, visit sites.si.edu.
About the Onondaga Historical Association
Founded in 1863, the Onondaga Historical Association (OHA) is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of Onondaga County and Central New York. Through its museums, research center, and educational programs, OHA collects, interprets, and showcases the stories that have shaped the region. With a diverse range of exhibits, archival resources, and community events, OHA fosters a deeper appreciation for the area’s past while inspiring a meaningful connection to its future. Learn more at www.cnyhistory.org.
About Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center
Skä•noñh Great Law of Peace Center is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history, culture, and traditions of the Haudenosaunee people. The center serves as a hub for education, dialogue, and cultural exchange, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy’s enduring impact on governance, peace, and the environment. Through exhibits, programs, and community outreach, Skä•noñh fosters a space for learning and reflection on the Great Law of Peace, the foundational constitution of the Haudenosaunee. The center’s mission is to honor the past, celebrate the present, and inspire future generations to embrace the teachings of unity, respect, and sustainability that have guided the Haudenosaunee for centuries.
About the Museum Association of New York
The Museum Association of New York is New York’s representative of the MoMS program, an outreach program of the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service, and is the only statewide museum service organization with more than 750 member museums, historical societies, zoos, botanical gardens, and aquariums. MANY helps shape a better future for museums and museum professionals by uplifting best practices and building organizational capacity through advocacy, training, and networking opportunities. Visit www.nysmuseums.org and follow MANY on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn @nysmuseums
About the National Endowment for the Humanities
Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at: www.neh.gov.
About the William G. Pomeroy Foundation
The William G. Pomeroy Foundation® is committed to supporting the celebration and preservation of community history; and working to improve the probability of finding appropriate donor matches or other life-saving treatments for blood cancer patients. Established by Trustee Bill Pomeroy in 2005 to bring together his two greatest passions, the Pomeroy Foundation is a private, philanthropic organization located in Syracuse, N.Y. As the nation’s leading funder of historic roadside markers, the Pomeroy Foundation has awarded more than 2,100 grants for markers and bronze plaques in 48 states and Washington, D.C. To learn more about the Pomeroy Foundation, visit wgpfoundation.org.
About Humanities New York
Using dialogue, reflection, and critical thinking, Humanities New York applies the humanities to strengthen democratic society. Established in 1975 as the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Humanities New York is a private 501(c)(3) organization that may receive federal, state, and private funding. To learn more about Humanities New York, visit humanitiesny.org.