Voices and Votes

📢 The Smithsonian Is Coming to Ashby!
“Voices and Votes: Democracy in America”
📍 Ashby Free Public Library
📅 July 26 – September 6, 2025

Open weekly Tuesdays 10-5, Wednesdays 10-7, Thursdays 1-8, Saturdays 10-2

This summer, Ashby will be one of only six towns in Massachusetts to host the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street traveling exhibit Voices and Votes: Democracy in America. This nationally touring exhibit explores the history of civic participation, voting rights, and the American democratic process—and how everyday people have shaped our nation.

This is a major cultural moment for our small town, and we’re inviting local businesses to join in the excitement!

📆 Key Dates & Events:

🎉 Grand Opening Celebration
Saturday, July 26 at 2 PM – Ashby Free Public Library
Kick off the exhibit with speakers, refreshments, and music. This community event will welcome visitors from across the region. Local politicians and dignitaries will kick off the start of Museums on Main Street.

📚 Freedom Summer: A discussion with the author

Tuesday, July 29 at 6:30

Join us for a powerful talk with acclaimed author and journalist Bruce Watson as he discusses Freedom Summer: the Savage season of 1964 that made Mississippi burn and made America a democracy , his compelling account of the 1964 campaign that brought hundreds of civil rights volunteers to Mississippi. Through vivid storytelling and deep historical insight, Watson brings to life the courage, sacrifice, and lasting impact of the young people who risked everything to fight for justice and voting rights. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from the author about one of the most pivotal chapters in American history.

🎉 Voices on the Common: A Festival of Voices, Music, and Memory

Saturday, August 2 9 to 3

Join us for Voices on the Common, a joyful, family-friendly celebration of storytelling, music, and civic memory! Children’s authors, including Maggie Spadaro and Debbie Davies, will read and inspire kids to tell their own stories, while Caitlyn Foster invites residents of all ages to share personal reflections for the Smithsonian’s Oral History Project. Help create the Ashby Instant Mural, a giant community canvas filled with words of hope and dreams for the future—your voice matters! Enjoy live music from Matt York and Dan Kirouac, food trucks, local artists, and a farmers market. Bring a blanket, your curiosity, and your voice—there’s something for everyone!

📚 Community Conversation: “How Can We Create a Vibrant, Connected, and Engaged Community?”

Date & Time: Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 6:00 PM

Location: Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main Street, Ashby, MA

In this time of change and possibility, the Ashby Free Public Library invites residents of all ages to join a powerful, inclusive conversation about our shared civic future. Using Essential Partners’ nationally recognized dialogue format, we’ll come together to explore the question: How can we create a vibrant, connected, and engaged community?

🎬 “Majority Rules” Film Screening & Discussion
Date Saturday August 16 at 1:30 PM
Join us on Saturday, August 16th at 1:30 PM at the Ashby Free Public Library for a special screening of Majority Rules, a thought-provoking documentary that explores ranked choice voting and its potential to transform the way we elect our representatives. Through compelling stories and expert insights, the film asks timely and important questions: Is there a better way to reflect the will of the people? Can it be done? Should it Be done? Following the screening, engage in a lively and informative discussion led by documentary filmmaker Samantha deManbey, who will guide the conversation on how ranked choice voting could shape the future of American democracy. Refreshments will be served, and all are welcome to be part of this timely civic dialogue.

🎉 A Fine Agitation  DATE TBA August 18^th or 26

As part of our celebration of the anniversary of women’s suffrage, the Ashby Free Public Library will host a special performance of A Fine Struggle, a musical documentary presented by Steve Adams, Director of the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts. Through a dynamic blend of live music, historical images, and compelling storytelling, Adams brings to life the courageous individuals and pivotal events that shaped the long and often difficult journey toward securing the right to vote for women in the United States.

This engaging program offers audiences of all ages a powerful and accessible way to understand the complex history of the suffrage movement. From grassroots activism to landmark legislative victories, A Fine Struggle honors the perseverance, vision, and voices of the women who fought for political equality. This event not only commemorates a historic milestone in American democracy but also invites our community to reflect on the ongoing importance of civic engagement and representation. The date is not certain at this time.

🎬Hidden: A discussion with Kati Preston Wednesday, August 20 at 1PM

Join us for an unforgettable talk by Kati Preston, a Holocaust survivor who has inspired thousands across New England with her story of resilience, compassion, and the power of one.

Kati speaks with urgency and hope to the next generation, encouraging young people to stand up against hate, bullying, and injustice—and to choose compassion and courage every time. Her message resonates with listeners of all ages and backgrounds, reminding us all of the strength of kindness and the power of doing what’s right.

🖼️ Ashby Voices: A Local History Micro-Exhibit
Ongoing during the exhibit run
Curated by the library with help from local volunteers and our summer intern, this mini-exhibit explores Ashby’s own democratic traditions, from town meeting to civic milestones.

📷 “Voices and Votes: Democracy Through Your Lens” Photography Exhibit
July 26 – September 6
A community photo gallery featuring images that capture what democracy looks like in everyday life.