Current Press Release

TOMS RIVER - The Ocean County Library, in cooperation with New Jersey Council for the Humanities, will host “Water/Ways,” a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition exploring the environmental and cultural impact of water. “Water/Ways” will be on display at the Toms River Branch through Sep. 29.

“Water/Ways” explores the endless motion of the water cycle, water’s effect on landscape, settlement and migration, and its impact on culture and spirituality. It looks at how political and economic planning have long been affected by access to water and control of water resources. Human creativity and resourcefulness provide new ways of protecting water resources and renewing respect for the natural environment.

The Toms River Branch and the surrounding community was expressly chosen by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities to host “Water/Ways” as part of the Museum on Main Street project—a national/state/local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations. After it leaves Toms River in September, the exhibition will travel to more communities in New Jersey before it returns to the Smithsonian; an itinerary is available online at https://njhumanities.org/humanities-to-go/museum-on-main-street/.

“Water/Ways” is part of Museum on Main Street, a unique collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), state humanities councils across the nation, and local host institutions. To learn more, visit www.museumonmainstreet.org, www.sites.si.edu, or https://njhumanities.org/.

Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress. Water/Ways, a Museum on Main Street exhibition organized by the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Service, was made possible by a grant from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The branch is located at 101 Washington Street.

The Ocean County Library system is hosting a number of related programs. For a complete listing of related programs, visit theoceancountylibrary.org/waterways or call 732-349-6200.

08-20-smithsonian.pdf