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Americans Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit |
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 AMERICANS Based on a major exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC, Americans explores how deeply intertwined American Indians are in the culture of the United States. American Indians are about 2 percent of the population, yet images of Indians are everywhere. From imagery on commercial products and professional and high school sports mascots, to classic Westerns and episodes of Seinfeld and South Park, we are surrounded by American Indian imagery. Indian names are everywhere too, from state, city, and street names to the Tomahawk missile. How is it that Indians can be so present and so absent in American life? Pervasive, powerful, at times demeaning, the images, names, and stories reveal the deep connection between Americans and American Indians. Indians have been embedded in unexpected ways in the history, pop culture, and identity of the United States. The exhibition highlights the ways in which American Indians have been part of the nation’s identity since before the country began and offers a new way of understanding a few familiar events: - Thanksgiving was a modern invention.
- Pocahontas was a key figure in the country’s founding.
- The Trail of Tears was a vast national project that reshaped the entire country.
- Little Bighorn was the moment when, after killing 200 American soldiers, Indians became the country’s unofficial mascots.
Americans surrounds visitors with images and objects from popular culture and delves into these historical events. The exhibition invites visitors to explore this complicated history and to share local stories about Native American history and culture about Native American history and culture. The Americans exhibit is located in the Dick & Shelia Beaven Art Gallery. |
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Americans January Featured Events |
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Tuesday, January 13, 2026 6 pm Pittsburg Tank and Tower Event Suites
Join us for the Smithsonian's Americans exhibit reception! This thought-provoking exhibit explores how Native American images, names, and stories are deeply embedded in the United States' identity, history, and pop culture. Be part of this insightful event and discover the ongoing impact of Native American heritage in our society. All are welcome!
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Saturday, January 17, 2026 10:30 am Pittsburg Tank and Tower Event Suites Join us at the library to welcome Fred Nez-Keams from the Navajo Nation Tribe. Mr. Nez-Keams is a Native American Woodland flute maker and storyteller. Come and enjoy calming music and storytelling in Native tradition. Check out this video from Fred Nez-Keam's YouTube channel of his rendition of Amazing Grace. |
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Sunday, January 18, 2026 2 pm Pittsburg Tank and Tower Event Suites
Join Mike Linderman from Angel Mounds State Historic Site as he discusses the lunar and solar alignments present at the Angel Mounds. The site was inhabited between 1050 and 1450 A.D. and exhibits intentional alignments with astronomical events. This demonstrates the Mississippian people's sophisticated knowledge of the sky and their connection to the sun and moon.
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Saturday, January 24, 2026 10 am Pittsburg Tank and Tower Event Suites
Lorie Maltby, retired history professor at Henderson Community College, discusses Pocahontas: Her Life and Legacy. Who was Pocahontas, and why is she still relevant today? Learn about this important Powhatan woman’s life and role during the period of the Jamestown colony’s settlement, as well as her contributions to generations of Americans.
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Regular Monthly Activities |
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Register online or contact the Genealogy and Local History Staff 270-826-3712 ext. 214 |
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Monday, January 12, 2026 10 am Pittsburg Tank and Tower Event Suites
Coffee With A Vet is a round-table discussion led by a Veterans Benefit Field Representative for the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs. Each month, the Field Representative will be answering veterans' questions and sharing information to support veterans and their families.
To participate virtually, please click the link below: |
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Monday, January 26, 2026 6 pm Pittsburg Tank and Tower Event Suite A
What is Genealogy Roundtable? It is a round-table discussion time for genealogists who like to share ideas and discoveries, discuss research problems, and enjoy being with people who share the same interest in genealogy. Feel free to bring your dinner or just yourself and join us as we learn more about this interesting subject.
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Friday, February 6, 2026 12 pm Pittsburg Tank and Tower Event Suites B and C
What is Genealogy Lunch Bunch? It is a round-table discussion time for genealogists who like to share ideas and discoveries, discuss research problems, and enjoy being with people who share the same interest in genealogy. Feel free to bring your lunch or just yourself and join us as we learn more about this interesting subject.
To participate virtually, please click the link below: |
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Artwork courtesy of Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site From the Ice Age to present day, the lower Ohio River Valley has been host to numbers of different people. Nomadic people who crossed the Bering Strait land bridge in 10,000 B.C. preceded Mound-Builders who left behind clues to a rich culture, who were followed by numerous tribes of American Indians. All left behind clues to their way of life. Visit the HCPL’s Genealogy and Local History Department to view the history and the art of Early Americans in the local area, on display in the Carnegie Library from January 10 – March 1, 2026. |
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Meet Your Genealogy and Local History Staff |
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Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 8:00 pm Friday - Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Sunday 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm |
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Henderson County Public Library
101 S Main St., Henderson, Kentucky 42420
270-826-3712https://www.hcpl.org/ |
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