Southampton Arts Center welcomed guests on Saturday, May 23rd for the opening reception of The Story of America: 1776-2026, A Celebration of Freedom and Independence, a new exhibition commemorating America’s semiquincentennial in partnership with the Museum of Democracy. The exhibition, on view now through July 18th, explores more than 250 years of American presidential campaign history through an immersive presentation of artifacts, archival footage, and interactive storytelling.
Drawn from the Museum of Democracy’s Wright Family Collection, the exhibition features historic pieces spanning generations of American history, including the original flag flown at Federal Hall during George Washington’s inauguration, political torchlight parade torches from the 1850s, and paper dresses worn at campaign rallies in the 1960s. The exhibition also highlights pivotal social movements throughout American history, touching on women’s suffrage, civil rights, labor rights, and Vietnam War protests, among other defining moments that shaped the nation.
“We were thrilled to welcome the community to the Southampton Arts Center and to begin the celebration for the 250th Anniversary,” said Christina Mossaides Strassfield, Executive Director of Southampton Arts Center. “The fact that history can come alive on the walls of SAC is a gift to all visitors near and far.”
Notable guests in attendance included Sharon Bush, Nicole Miller, Rebecca Seawright, Jean Shafiroff, Ramona Singer, Southampton Village Mayor William Manger Jr., Pamela Wright, Madison Wright, Ken and Maria Fishel, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Sylvia Hemingway, Robert and Robin Leacock, Jeffrey and Nancy Jane Loewy, Siamak Samii, and Paul Travis, among others.
