Missouri Humanities | S4 E2: How Can Presidential Libraries Inspire Civic Engagement?

This episode of our Missouri Voices podcast is a special feature, a recording of the virtual keynote program from our 2025 Signature Series. This program, titled “From History to Action: Presidential Libraries and the Future of Civic Engagement,” highlights the vital role Presidential Libraries play in fostering democracy and civic engagement. The conversation, featuring insights from several Presidential Library leaders, examines how former Presidents have defined and exemplified citizenry throughout history.

Our conversation includes: Dr. Jay Barth, E.D. of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock, AR; Alex Burden, E.D. of the Truman Library Institute in Kansas City, MO, which is the nonprofit arm of the Truman Presidential Library and Museum, and Christina Shutt, Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield Illinois. Leading our conversation is Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky. Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon, VA.

What is Missouri Humanities ?

For season 4 of the Missouri Humanities podcast, "Missouri Voices: Civics & Citizenry", our conversation will consider individual and collective roles in civic engagement and democratic participation as we examine the bold "American Experiment" of a government run by and for the people, a vision rooted in the Constitution of the United States. With our featured guests, we will look at sweeping social movements to cast ballots and engage in policy as we explore the complex history of American democracy and Missouri's enduring participation. Join us as we consider the role of civility in democracy and ask ourselves: What is the role of citizenry in our “American Experiment,” past, present, and future? How can we employ civics to build a “more perfect union?”

PAST SEASONS:
Season 1, "Eat, THINK, & Be Merry: Missouri's Foodways and Edible History"
Season 2, "Roots & Routes: The Movement and Settlement of Missourians"
Season 3, "Missouri Marvels: Humanities, Discovery, and Innovation"

LET US KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS! Take our survey: https://forms.gle/mdqsf9SrVNpyeXfV7