exhibitions

Inequivalent Exchange

250 Years of American Museum Practice

May 15, 2026 – June 6, 2026

Opening Reception | May 15, 5:00 - 8:00 PM 

On display | May 15 - June 6

250 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, how has museum practice in the United States evolved? In the early 19th Century, as American Museums were established, imperialism and exploitation of historic objects was prevalent. The monetary incentive to display global relics led to the hasty excavation of art and antiquities, often through coercion, looting, and manipulative power imbalances. 

Institutions like museums and galleries, once the purview of elites, have become increasingly accessible to the general public. Once-private collections like Charles and Sarah Allis’ provide a glimpse of early museum practices in the West. While not unique to the United States, early museum practices often reflect broader trends of imperialism and economic development in American history. Inequivalent Exchange explores these themes through a variety of objects from the Allis collection.

We invite you to contemplate the history of museum collections and the contours of our nation’s history as we approach the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.

RSVP HERE