Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition 'Americans' Coming to Sterling

The Overland Trail Museum in Colorado will host the exhibit exploring the deep ties between American Indians and U.S. history and identity.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Overland Trail Museum in Sterling, Colorado will host the Smithsonian traveling exhibition 'Americans' from March 21 to May 9, 2026. The exhibition explores how American Indians are deeply intertwined in the history, popular culture and identity of the United States, featuring photographs, interactives, objects and videos.

Why it matters

The exhibition aims to provide a new understanding of the country's complex and often conflicted relationship with American Indians, whose images, names and historical events have become ingrained in American national consciousness and popular culture.

The details

Based on a major exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, 'Americans' highlights how American Indian imagery, names and historical events like Thanksgiving, Pocahontas and the Battle of Little Bighorn have become part of everyday American conversation and identity, despite a complicated and often tragic history.

  • The exhibition will be on display at the Overland Trail Museum from March 21 to May 9, 2026.
  • The Grand Opening celebration will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 10 a.m.

The players

Overland Trail Museum

A museum in Sterling, Colorado that has been chosen to host the 'Americans' exhibition as part of the Museum on Main Street program, a national/state/local partnership to bring exhibitions and programs to rural cultural organizations.

History Colorado

The organization supporting the Overland Trail Museum in hosting the 'Americans' exhibition, which is touring five communities in Colorado from September 2025 through July 2026.

Phillip Glover

The Senior Director of Tribal Engagement at History Colorado, who will be a special guest and presenter at the Grand Opening celebration.

Crystal C'Bearing

The Tribal Historic Preservation and NAGPRA Officer, who will be a special guest and presenter at the Grand Opening celebration.

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What they’re saying

“We are proud of and grateful for the chance to share this remarkable and eye-opening exhibition with museum visitors in rural communities across our state over the next few months. These critical Indigenous and Tribal stories are interwoven in the fabric of our country. It is vital for all of us, regardless of our background, to hear them and understand why they are important.”

— Philip Gover III, Senior Director of Tribal and Indigenous Engagement at History Colorado (fortmorgantimes.com)

What’s next

The Overland Trail Museum will host public programs in partnership with the Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute Tribal communities to further explore the complicated history and shared experiences presented in the 'Americans' exhibition.

The takeaway

The 'Americans' exhibition aims to provide a deeper understanding of how American Indians are deeply woven into the fabric of U.S. history, culture and identity, despite a complex and often troubled relationship, underscoring the importance of recognizing and learning from these critical Indigenous stories.