Smithsonian

Rutland is honored to have been selected by the Mass Humanities Council to host a Smithsonian "Museum on Main Street". The theme of the exhibit is "Crossroads: Change in Rural America"

Museum on Main Street exhibitions and research are a launching point for storytelling and local pride. As part of the exhibit we will host 6 public programs tailored to our community that will reach out to different groups. There are also digital projects including Stories from Main Street that collects public history, and the Digital Student History Initiative and Learning Lab.

The Rutland Historical Society will also contribute their own considerable expertise as well as some artifacts from their museum. You'll see how our town has changed and advanced in areas from farming to health care. Did you know that Rutland was the site of the first TB hospital in the country and recently was the site of the second largest Covid vaccine clinic in the state?

This Exhibit brings together the past, present and future. With topics ranging from Agriculture and American history to Civics and Conservation. There is something for everyone. We hope you will join us to take part in the free exhibit or one of our Sunday Programs.

The exhibit will be open to the public during regular library hours and during programs (with the exception of scheduled field trips). If you have questions about open times, you can call the library at 508-886-4108. See our Events Calendar page for further information about programs.