“Crossroads: Changes in Rural America” is a traveling Smithsonian exhibit making its way across the state. Right now, you can find it in the Sturgis Public Library.
The traveling exhibit is part of the Smithsonian’s “museum on main street” series.
Chris Hahn is the Sturgis Library director. He said the exhibit is designed to raise questions about rural life.
“It talks about what is rural America, and how has it changed, what direction is it going, and it’s all about people’s connection to rural life, the land, community," Hahn said. "It asks a lot of questions – that’s kinda what I’ve noticed as you look at things – it asks you to reflect on your relationship with rural life.”
Hahn said it’s a celebration of what makes rural life special.
“It’s built on this idea what we take care of ourselves, and we work off the land and we don’t have all the creature comforts and that’s okay," Hahn said. "I understand that - I think we have a lot more in common than people think. Without becoming a downer, you see the same issues wherever you are, right?”
But there’s also a local angle to the exhibit.
“One of the expectations is in fact ‘we’re bringing it to your town, what are you going to do to show your local flavor as part of this overall exhibit.’ So, we have a ton of events going on, and it’s here through the end of April,” Hahn said.
So far, Crossroads traveled to Brookings and Yankton before arriving in Sturgis, and next goes to Fort Sisseton in May.