North Webster Community Public Library, in partnership with The Watershed Foundation, has been selected by Indiana Humanities to host a Smithsonian-curated traveling exhibit called Water/Ways as part of the Museum on Main Street program, which brings exhibitions and programs to rural communities.
The exhibition, which dives into water—an essential component of life on our planet, environmentally, culturally, and historically—will be on display at the library in North Webster from June 26-August 8, 2021.
“Hoosiers are connected to water in ways that they may not always realize,” said Keira
Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. “And, since water is a shared resource, water connects everyone. We are excited to take the Water/Ways exhibit around the state to help reveal our connections to water and the central nature of it in our lives.”
Water/Ways will tour six Indiana communities from June 26, 2021 to April 10, 2022. In
addition to the exhibition, each community has been given $2,000 in project funds to develop a local companion exhibit and a series of community programs. With support and guidance from Indiana Humanities, NWCPL and TWF will collaborate to create this local content. 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.
Program dates and details are in development.
“We are very proud to be able to offer this Water/Ways Exhibit to our community and surrounding neighbors,” said Beth Smith, Adult Services Director of NWCPL. “Water is a very large part of our community and having the opportunity to learn and share together is another way for us to build connections within our community. Partnering with The Watershed Foundation is a perfect union for us, and we are ready to make the most of this opportunity. We can’t wait to share this experience with everyone.”
TWF Executive Director Lyn Crighton agreed. “We are honored to have been selected through a very competitive process, and we’re excited to partner with NWCPL in this opportunity to showcase this exhibit and to share the story of our outstanding water resources and community.”
Indiana Humanities is sponsoring the tour of this exhibit in conjunction with its new
thematic initiative which launches in mid-2021.
Several area organizations 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 you can get involved, contact Beth Smith at NWCPL or Lyn Crighton at TWF.
