MTSU’s new Gore Center exhibit tells story of U.S. democracy through political memorabilia

From left, Middle Tennessee State University Provost Mark Byrnes, political science professor; former Tennessee House Speaker and MTSU Distinguished Visiting Professor Beth Harwell; and former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen attend the Oct. 1 exhibit opening inside Todd Gallery on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The trio are posing before the “Titular Head,” a humorous representation of the late Don Sundquist, Tennessee governor from 1995-2003, that was used by Bredesen’s 2002 campaign and is part of the exhibit showcasing American democracy through political memorabilia curated by the Albert Gore Research Center. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University leaders and prominent Tennessee policy makers recently unveiled an exhibit by the Albert Gore Research Center celebrating American democracy through a display of campaign posters, political buttons, and other political memorabilia.

“The Art and History of Political Campaign Communication: Selections from the Johnny Hayes Political Memorabilia Collection” features a wide array of campaign materials collected by the late Johnny Hayes, a Gallatin businessman and public servant whose passion for Tennessee and American politics led him to assemble a rich collection of political memorabilia, now housed at the Gore Center.

The exhibit runs through Nov. 5 at the Todd Art Gallery, Room 224A, in Todd Hall, located at 542 Old Main Circle on the MTSU campus. Free and open to the public, the exhibit can be visited from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The exhibit invites audiences to reflect on the power of campaign imagery and messaging in the evolving political landscape that has shaped American democracy, said Gore Center Director Louis Kyriakoudes, who kicked off the exhibit by leading an Oct. 1 panel discussion of Tennessee political experts on how candidates communicate with the public and how that has changed over time.

Louis M. Kyriakoudes, left, director of the Albert Gore Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University, is pictured with prominent Tennessee public policy leaders who participated in an Oct. 1 panel discussion about political memorabilia and democracy held in Todd Hall on the university campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Pictured, from left, are Kyriakoudes; former Tennessee House Speaker and MTSU Distinguished Visiting Professor Beth Harwell; MTSU political science professor Kent Syler; Mark Tipps, former chief of staff for Sen. Bill Frist; and Lisa Quigley, chief of staff for former Rep. Jim Cooper, on screen via videoconference. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

Sharing their expertise before a large audience was Beth Harwell, former Republican Tennessee House speaker and MTSU Distinguished Professor of Public Policy; Lisa Quigley, chief of staff for former Democratic Rep. Jim Cooper and director of the “Solving Hunger” initiative at Tusk Philanthropies (via videoconference); MTSU political science professor Kent Syler, former chief of staff for Democratic Rep. Bart Gordon; and Mark Tipps, former chief of staff for Republican Sen. Bill Frist and operating partner and counsel for Frist-Cressey Ventures.

Dr. Louis Kyriakoudes, director of the Albert Gore Research Center — Dr. Louis Kyriakoudes

“The Hayes Political Memorabilia Collection helps tell the history of our nation’s democracy with eye catching political posters and campaign materials,” said Kyriakoudes, a professor of history.

The exhibit features campaign materials such as an 1844 presidential campaign lithograph for James Knox Polk of Tennessee and an Abraham Lincoln-Andrew Johnson banner from the 1864 presidential election.

Tennessee’s political history takes center stage in the exhibit, featuring posters and broadsides from the campaigns of prominent political figures Lamar Alexander, Howard Baker, Frank Clement, Bob Clement, Bill Frist, Albert Gore Sr., Al Gore Jr., Estes Kefauver, Kenneth McKellar, Fred Thompson and many others.

Former Tennessee House Speaker and MTSU Distinguished Visiting Professor Beth Harwell, left, and former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen greet at the Oct. 1 panel discussion and exhibit opening inside Todd Hall on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

Among those attending the panel and reception was former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, who also has memorabilia featuring his campaigns on display in the exhibit.

Off-campus visitors visiting the exhibit can obtain a temporary permit from the Parking and Transportation Services office at 205 City View Drive or pay by plate by visiting this webpage, https://bit.ly/mtvisitorparking, and clicking the appropriate link under “Visitor Parking.” Visitor permits are $2 per day.

A parking map and more information is available at https://mtsu.edu/parking/.

For more information about the exhibit, contact Kyriakoudes at Louis.Kyriakoudes@mtsu.edu.