2026 is an important year for our country as we prepare to celebrate the United States Semiquincentennial on July 4th! Here you will find all kinds of activities and events leading up to the special day. The Historical Research Center and RCLS as a whole are excited to participate in this one-time celebration.
Smyrna Public Library Presents ‘Our American Story: Voices from Tennessee
New Exhibit Explores the People Who Shaped Tennessee and the Nation
Smyrna Public Library – October, 1, 2026 – Smyrna Public Library presents Our American Story: Voices from Tennessee, a new traveling exhibit that highlights the lives and legacies of remarkable Tennesseans whose stories connect with and contribute to the nation’s history. Drawing from centuries of innovation, leadership, and advocacy, the exhibit invites visitors to explore how individual actions have helped shape the nation.
“We are excited to welcome Our American Story: Voices from Tennessee to Smyrna Public Library,” said Cassandra Taylor, branch manager of Smyrna Public Library. “Smyrna has worked throughout the year to keep the spirit of America’s 250th anniversary celebration alive through programs, partnerships, and opportunities for our community to learn about the people and stories that have shaped our nation. Having this exhibit here gives our community another opportunity to celebrate Tennessee’s role in the American story while encouraging visitors to consider the stories we are continuing to write together.”
The exhibit is an expansion of Tennessee Voices, American Stories, a temporary exhibit that commemorates the United States’ 250th anniversary and emphasizes how personal narratives illuminate pivotal moments in state and national history. The traveling exhibition on display at Smyrna Public Library consists of five double-sided freestanding panels with an additional two panels which will include regional stories of individuals from Middle Tennessee.
“Tennessee’s history offers countless examples of individuals whose courage, creativity, and determination have advanced our shared ideals,” said Ashley Howell, executive director of the Tennessee State Museum. “As America reflects on the last 250 years, this exhibit helps us understand how the experiences of Tennesseans are woven into the fabric of the American story, and how the Museum’s collection, built over 88 years, helps tell that story.”
Featured stories include those of Cherokee leader Ostenaco, Battle of Kings Mountain messenger Joseph Greer, Tennessee’s first governor John Sevier, suffragist Abby Crawford Milton, trailblazing Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice Adolpho A. Birch Jr., NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore, and Robert Renfro, early black settler and entrepreneur.
Through these extraordinary stories, the exhibition encourages visitors to reflect on how their own experiences will contribute to the ongoing American narrative. “I hope that sharing information about remarkable Tennesseans and outstanding artifacts from the Museum’s collection will help visitors learn about our past and inspire them to consider how they can contribute to the nation’s story” said Miranda Fraley Rhodes, assistant chief curator at the Tennessee State Museum.
Our American Story: Voices from Tennessee will run from October 1, 2026- November 5, 2026
About Smyrna Public Library
Smyrna Public Library, a branch of the Rutherford County Library System, is dedicated to its mission to explore, imagine, and engage by providing inclusive, innovative services to the community. As the second-largest branch within a six -location system serving Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and Eagleville—alongside a countywide Bookmobile—Smyrna Public Library plays a vital role in expanding access to knowledge and resources for residents of all ages. The library offers dynamic programming that promotes literacy, STEM education, gardening, early learning skills, and lifelong learning opportunities, creating meaningful experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and community connection.
About Tennessee State Museum and Tennessee America 250
Celebrating its 89th anniversary in 2026, the Tennessee State Museum, located on the corner of Rosa L. Parks Blvd. and Jefferson Street at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, is home to thousands of years of Tennessee history, art, and culture. Through six permanent exhibitions titled Natural History, First Peoples, Forging a Nation, The Civil War and Reconstruction, Change and Challenge and Tennessee Transforms, the Museum takes visitors on a journey–through artifacts, films, interactive displays, events and educational and digital programing–from the state’s geological beginnings to the present day. Additional temporary exhibitions explore significant periods and individuals in history, along with art and cultural movements. The Museum is free and open to the public Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. For more information on exhibitions and events, please visit TNMuseum.org.
The Museum is also the headquarters of the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial, created to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, and recognize Tennessee’s integral role
in that event and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future. For more information about the commission, its grant program, signature events and support for other programming and institutions statewide, please visit TN250.com.
Contact:
Cassandra Taylor
Branch Manager | Smyrna Public Library
615-459-4884
ctaylor@rclstn.org
Debbie Shaw
Senior Curator of Archaeology | Tennessee State Museum
615-924-3934
Debbie.shaw@tn.gov