Smithsonian Water/Ways Exhibit is Coming to North Webster, Summer 2021

We are thrilled to announce that North Webster Community Public Library, in partnership with The Watershed Foundation, has been selected by Indiana Humanities Council to host Water/Ways, a traveling Smithsonian exhibition.

Water/Ways explores the endless motion of the water cycle, water’s effect on landscape, settlement and migration, and its impact on culture and spirituality. It looks at how political and economic planning have long been affected by access to water and control of water resources, and how human creativity and resourcefulness provide new ways of protecting water resources and renewing respect for the natural environment. Designed for small-town museums, libraries and cultural organizations, Water/Ways serves as a community meeting place to hold conversations about water’s impact on American culture.

North Webster Community Public Library was one of six sites chosen by Indiana Humanities Council to host Water/Ways  as part of the Museum on Main Street program, which brings exhibitions and programs to rural communities. The exhibition will tour six communities in Indiana, starting in North Webster and including Rolling Prairie, West Terre Haute, New Harmony, Madison, and Centerville.

As part of the award, NWCPL and TWF will receive funding, support, and guidance from the Indiana Humanities Council to develop educational initiatives, a series of public programs, and a local companion exhibit telling our water story. The exhibit and programs will explore our regional water resources, lakes, and watershed and will raise public awareness about water’s unique cultural, spiritual, and social impact in our community.

TWF Executive Director Lyn Crighton stated, “We are honored to have been selected through a very competitive process. We are excited to partner with NWCPL in this opportunity to showcase this exhibit and to share the story of our outstanding water resources and community.”

Water/Ways and our local companion exhibit will be on view at the library for 6 weeks (June 26 – August 7, 2021)!

Watch for program dates and details, coming soon.

We’re grateful to several area organizations who have offered support to this project, including Bart’s Watersports, Dixie Sternwheeler, Inc., Friends of the North Webster Community Public Library, Kosciusko County Convention & Visitors Bureau, North Webster Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce, the Town of North Webster, and Webster Lake Conservation Association! TWF and NWCPL welcome additional support from other interested organizations. To learn how your organization can get involved, contact Executive Director Lyn Crighton at lyn@watershedfoundation.org.