Library of Congress Launches Exhibition for 50th Anniversary of Folklife Center

The Library of Congress opened a new exhibition on October 30, 2026, marking the 50th anniversary of the American Folklife Center. Titled "Alive in Many Hands: The American Folklife Center at 50," the display highlights the music, dance, storytelling, and crafts the center has documented since its founding in 1976. With over 150 objects, photographs, and films, the exhibition shows how these traditions are adapted and passed down through generations. By focusing on these varied cultural expressions, the center illustrates the role of folklife in connecting people to their history and community.

Congress established the American Folklife Center to document the diverse human experiences found across the United States and abroad. Since then, the center has worked to maintain these customs as part of modern life. Visitors can see items such as a banjo signed by folk musicians Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, alongside a portable recording machine salvaged from a shipwreck. These artifacts demonstrate the resilience of cultural practices and how they evolve while remaining rooted in local traditions.

Nicole Saylor, director of the American Folklife Center, explained the purpose of the collection: "We want visitors to come away with a deeper understanding of how folklife is a cornerstone of the American experience." The exhibition is organized into six sections that explore how folklife is gathered, shared, and experienced. The items on display cover a range of traditions, from foodways to work customs, including a Diné (Navajo) rug by Bessie Taylor and a 1940 letter from Woody Guthrie to folklorist Alan Lomax. These objects trace the connections between folklife and historical narratives.

The exhibition also looks at the role of play, showcasing games and informal traditions that shape community interactions. These displays present the cultural practices that define both personal and collective experiences. Running throughout the year, the exhibition highlights the center's efforts to keep folklife as a living, evolving practice. By providing public access to this cultural memory, the center documents the American experience and the ways traditions connect people to their heritage and to one another.