MERIDIAN, MS – From above, Earth appears as a water planet with more than 71 percent of its surface covered with this vital resource for life. Water impacts climate, agriculture, transportation, industry and more. It inspires art and music. The Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum at historic Soulè Steam Works, in cooperation with Mississippi Humanities Council, will examine water as an environmental necessity and an important cultural element as it hosts “Water/Ways,” a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program. “Water/Ways” will be on view July 14 through August 25, 2018. Admission is free to the WaterWays Exhibit at the museum located at 1808 4th Street in downtown Meridian.
Mississippi Industrial Heritage Museum and the surrounding community has been expressly chosen by the Mississippi Humanities Council to host “Water/Ways” as part of the Museum on Main Street program—a national/state/local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations. The exhibition will tour six communities in Mississippi.
“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. 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” will serve as a community meeting place to convene conversations about water’s impact on American culture. With the support and guidance of state humanities councils, these towns will develop complementary exhibits, host public programs and facilitate educational initiatives to raise people’s understanding about what water means culturally, socially and spiritually in their own community.
“Water is a vital part of everyone’s life and we are excited to explore what it means culturally, socially and spiritually in our own community,” said Greg Hatcher, executive director of the museum. “We want to convene conversations about water and have developed local exhibitions and public programs to compliment the Smithsonian exhibition. The Soule’ museum focuses on steam, which requires fresh water. We will present ten local displays including one that explains how steam produces energy for us both past and present.” Six free special events will be held on Thursdays during the exhibition. The museum will have two steam-ups. One will be held at night, which is a first for the museum. “We have had several requests for hosting a nighttime steam-up,” Hatcher said. “It should be of interest to photographers and visitors alike.” Dr. James Giesen, Associate Professor of History, Mississippi State University, is the state scholar for the exhibition and will give a presentation on Thursday, August 2 at 7 p.m. Popular speaker Dr. Brinda Willis will be the featured on August 9.
“Water/Ways” is part of the Smithsonian’s Think Water Initiative to raise awareness of water as a critical resource for life through exhibitions, educational resources and public programs. The public can participated in the conversation on social media at #thinkWater.
To learn more about “Water/Ways” and other Museum on Main Street exhibitions, visit www.museumonmainstreet.org.
