As we look towards 2026 and the 250th anniversary of the United States, we see that the narrative of our country should include the stories of all the people and their cultural heritage that make our country unique. The voices and stories of those who fall outside the narrative of 'dead rich white men' are still not often heard - we think it is time for that to change.

The focus of this pilot project is to highlight historic objects in collecting institutions (historic house museums, heritage centers, historic sites, living history museums, historical societies, etc.) in New York State that tell stories of immigration, social change, discrimination, resilience, enslavement and the struggle for civil and equal rights. We aim to amplify these stories through showcasing items that celebrate the work or have been created by and center the stories and voices of historically marginalized and underrepresented communities.

Begin your exploration either by clicking on "Browse Objects" or "Map" above.