LANSING, Mich. — A new Smithsonian Museum on Main Street exhibit, “Americans,” will come to Michigan in 2026, Michigan Humanities announced.

Based on a major exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., “Americans” explores how deeply intertwined Native Americans are in the culture of the United States. The exhibition highlights the ways in which Native Americans have been part of the nation’s identity since before the country began and offers a new way of understanding a few familiar events:

— Thanksgiving was a modern invention.

— Pocahontas was a key figure in the country’s founding.

— The Trail of Tears was a vast national project that reshaped the entire country.

Americans will bring diverse humanities programming to local communities across Michigan, inviting visitors to explore this complicated history and to share local stories about Native American history, culture and identity.

“This exhibit will create opportunities for important conversations during our nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Jennifer Rupp, president and CEO of Michigan Humanities. “Partnering with the Smithsonian to bring quality exhibits like this to Michigan communities allows us to engage all Michiganders in the public humanities.”

Through the Museum on Main Street program, Michigan Humanities is coordinating the exhibit’s tour throughout Michigan and is seeking six partner organizations located in communities of less than 20,000 people to host Americans. Selected sites will host the Smithsonian exhibit, work with local partners in their community, and create additional programming to support the exhibit.

The application for host sites is open until Nov. 13. The exhibit will run from September 2026 through June 2027. Go to www.michiganhumanities.org for more information.

Michigan Humanities strives to bring people together through stories, histories, cultures, and conversations. In carrying out this mission, Michigan Humanities builds awareness and excitement for humanities in everyday life, achieves best practices and sustainability for all humanities programs and services in Michigan, and upholds the following key values: inclusion, diversity, and equity; discovery and understanding; authentic conversation; respectful collaboration; and meaningful experiences. Michigan Humanities’ vision is a more thoughtful, connected, engaged, and informed Michigan.