In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Washington County Museum partnered with the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program to present Many Voices, One Nation: Alabama’s First County at the historic 1854 St. Stephens Courthouse.

Washington County has been part of Alabama’s story since before Alabama became a state. The special exhibition highlighted the people, places, and events that shaped Alabama’s first county, exploring themes of freedom, migration, equality, expansion, and change through stories rooted in our local history.

Adapted from an exhibition by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Many Voices, One Nation connected Washington County’s unique story to the broader American experience and the nation’s 250-year journey.
The exhibition opened on June 26, 2026, welcoming residents and visitors throughout the summer to explore Washington County’s rich cultural heritage and discover the important role our county has played in the history of Alabama and the nation.