The Smithsonian Institution and the Texas Historical Commission are joining forces to celebrate creativity across rural Texas. Together, they congratulate six communities selected to host the national traveling exhibition “Spark! Places of Innovation,” part of the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program.
The 2026–27 Texas tour will visit Kerrville, Alpine, Taylor, Snyder, Brackettville, and Atlanta, bringing a national exhibition paired with locally developed programming that explores how innovation takes root in small towns. Through stories from more than 30 rural communities nationwide, Spark! examines how creativity flourishes through social, cultural, artistic, and technological change.
Kerrville will serve as the first stop on the six‑city tour. The Kerr Arts and Cultural Center at 228 Earl Garrett Street will host the exhibition May 16 through June 28. Admission is free, with hours 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The exhibition will be closed Sundays.
During its stay in Kerrville, the Smithsonian display will be complemented by a local companion exhibit, “Kerrville: Small Town with Big Ideas,” highlighting the people, industries, and creative spirit that have shaped the community’s history and growth. Opening day festivities on May 16 will include a public launch event from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Kerr Arts and Cultural Center.
For statewide tour details, visit Texas Time Travel, and for Kerrville‑specific information and programming, see the Kerrville exhibition page at thc.texas.gov.
About the Texas Historical Commission
The Texas Historical Commission is the state’s official historic preservation agency. It preserves, operates, and manages 42 state historic sites and leads programs such as the Texas Heritage Trails, Texas Main Street, and Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation initiatives. Its mission is to protect and preserve Texas’ historic and prehistoric resources for the education, enjoyment, and economic benefit of present and future generations. Learn more at thc.texas.gov.
