Journey Stories
Americans are all about going places. We have always been an intensely mobile society
and savored our freedom to travel. That urge spurred the development
of transportation modes and systems: trains, cars, boats, and airplanes; trails, roads, and massive highways -- all
geared towards making "getting there" as easy as possible.
Journey Stories is a compelling Smithsonian exhibition that shows how our evolving mobility changed
our young nation and how improvements in transportation helped us grow.
The actual accounts of early travelers express the hopes and promises of fresh starts, the grim realities of forced migrations and difficult journeys, and the
thrills of personal travel.
Perhaps there are stories in your family of how your ancestors came to America, how they made the arduous journey, where they settled once they arrived. From Native Americans
to recent immigrants, and regardless of our ethnic and racial backgrounds, we all bring something to a complex history of travel, immigration, and transportation in America.
Where have YOU gone? How did YOU get there? Whether we remember moving from one city to another, driving
across the country in the family station wagon, traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles on a train, or taking our first trip on an airplane, everyone has a tale to tell.
The Smithsonian Institution and the Museum on Main Street will bring Journey Stories to Leesville from July 16 - August 27, 2011
and bring our history to life using artifacts, images, recordings, and video.
Stop by anytime Tuesday thru
Saturday, from 9 am until 4 pm. There is no charge for admission.
Arrangements can be made for guided group tours by calling the
Vernon Parish Tourism Commission at (337) 238-0783.
Additional Programs and Events
Additional programs will be held at Gallery One Ellleven, located at 111 South Third St. No charge for admission.
Sorry, the Neutral Strip program scheduled for July 22nd has been canceled.
The Neutral Strip and Land Pirates
Friday, July 22, 2011 --- Time To Be Announced
Mrs. Sharon Calcote
River Traffic Along the Sabine
Saturday, July 23, 2011 --- Time To Be Announced
Dr. Gary Joiner
Kansas City Southern Railroad Expansion
Saturday, July 30, 2011 --- Time To Be Announced
Dr. Louis A. Marre
Film: "The Great Louisiana Maneuvers"
Tuesday, August 2, 2011 --- 6:00 pm
Produced by Clements Productions
Presented by Mrs. Ellen Ibert
Louisiana Maneuvers
Saturday, August 6, 2011 --- Time To Be Announced
Mr. Nick Pollacia
War Brides of World War II & More Current Settlers
Saturday, August 13, 2011 --- Time To Be Announced
Dr. Kathleen Smith
Sorry, the American Utopia program scheduled for August 16th has been canceled.
Film: "American Utopia"
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 --- 6:00 pm
Produced by Louisiana Public Broadcasting
Presented by Mrs. Ellen Ibert
Italians and Western Louisiana
Saturday, August 19, 2011 --- 6:00 pm
Dr. Ginger Jones
Journey Stories is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and your state humanities council. Museum on Main Street is generously
supported by the United States Congress.
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