Library of Congress Celebrates 50 Years of Folklife Center
The Library of Congress launched the exhibition "Alive in Many Hands: The American Folklife Center at 50" in October 2026. This exhibition features over 150 artifacts, including photographs, recordings, and films that highlight living traditions in music, dance, storytelling, and craft. It aims to showcase the ways folklife connects people and communities across generations, emphasizing its role in preserving cultural memory.
In October 2026, the Library of Congress marked the 50th anniversary of the American Folklife Center with the opening of the exhibition titled "Alive in Many Hands: The American Folklife Center at 50." This exhibition features over 150 artifacts, including photographs, recordings, and films that document living traditions in various aspects of American culture such as music, dance, storytelling, craft, foodways, and community life. The collection illustrates how these traditions are preserved and adapted over time, highlighting their significance in maintaining memory and identity within communities.
The American Folklife Center was established by Congress in 1976 to preserve and promote American folklife. It serves as a repository for cultural expressions from diverse communities across the United States and around the world. The center aims to sustain living traditions while expanding public access to cultural memory. This exhibition not only celebrates the center's history but also emphasizes the dynamic nature of folklife as an evolving practice shaped by contemporary communities.
The exhibition is organized into six sections, each highlighting different aspects of folklife. These sections explore how traditions are collected, shared, and experienced across generations. For example, one section focuses on sharing folklife through stories and music, featuring items like a banjo signed by Woody Guthrie and a portable recording machine salvaged from a shipwreck. Another section highlights foodways, showcasing items such as a community cookbook created by high school students and a preserved World War II-era chocolate ration.
In addition to showcasing artifacts, the exhibition examines the role of play in cultural life. It presents a variety of playful traditions, including skateboarding and break dancing, alongside objects that represent informal cultural practices. The exhibition also delves into how workplaces develop their own traditions, illustrated by a maritime ritual certificate and guides that assisted Black travelers during segregation.
Enjoyed this story?
Show the newsroom a little love — one tap per reader.
Noah believes good news, told well, can change how we see the world.
Be part of the good
Stories like this start with people who care. Share it, or submit your own uplifting story to inspire millions today.
