current exhibition

Crossing the Green:
Community at a Crossroads?

Companion exhibition to the Smithsonian’s Crossroads: Change in Rural America

Green River constantly shifts, mimicking the movement of the river that gives the town its name. Nestled at the foot of the Book Cliffs at the only passable river crossing for hundreds of miles up or downstream, Green River’s geographic advantage drew settlers beginning in the 1870s. However, changing conditions in the harsh rural landscape can creep in slowly or crash in rapidly, and throughout our history have demanded resilience, adaptability, and perseverance.

What is the future of Green River?

Families who call the City of Green River home meet the challenges and opportunities presented in a remote rural location. City leaders, working men and women, graduating high school seniors and all residents face choices about the future of their town. Crossing the Green: Community at a Crossroads? explores the conditions past and present generations encounter by exploring the topics “The Ways We Cross the Green,” “Green River Community, How We Live,” “Green River, A Place for Adventures,” and “Welcome Home to Green River.” We ask you, as you walk this journey exploring the past for insight into the present, to consider: What is the Future of Green River?

A COMPANION EXHIBIT TO

Crossroads:
Change in Rural America

JUNE 29 – AUGUST 17, 2024

Crossroads: Change in Rural America, an exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS), takes a broad look at the characteristics of rural America. It explores how an attraction to and interaction with the land formed the basis of rural America, and how rural communities and small towns evolve. It also highlights how change has transformed rural America and how rural Americans are evolving for the future. “Crossroads” is part of MoMs, a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), state humanities councils across the nation, and local host institutions. To learn more visit www.museumonmainstreet.org.

Acknowledgements

Crossroads: Change in Rural America has been made possible in Green River by the Utah Humanities Council.

Crossroads: Change in Rural America is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

Major local support for Crossroads and our companion exhibit, Crossing the Green: Community at a Crossroads?, was made possible by the City of Green River and Epicenter.