Yesterday's Tomorrows

Past Visions of the American Future

What is it about the future that encourages us to dream? We envision time-saving devices, houses built in space, and cars that fly. We imagine strange creatures living on other planets and fear the destruction of our own. All of these visions tell us something about our communities and ourselves.

Yesterday's Tomorrows, a traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution, toured Kansas in 2002. The exhibit presented an historical overview of what Americans thought the future would look like, beginning in 1900 and continuing through the late 20th century. It featured images of robots, flying machines, and a 1950s living room that could be cleaned with a garden hose! The exhibit challenged Kansans to examine how the idea of progress toward "the future" affects their values, attitudes, and public issues.

More than 30,000 visitors toured the national exhibit, viewed the local displays, and attended public events.

• Wichita Greyhound Charities, Inc.
• Garvey Foundation
• Reid Foundation
• Wolf Creek Nuclear Corporation