Sinclair Lewis was a world-famous writer, the first American to win the Nobel Prize for literature. His seminal work, Main Street, was published in 1920. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the publication, the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) created an exhibit chronicling Lewis’ life and work, which was on exhibit in 2020-2021. The Sinclair Lewis Foundation, based in Lewis’ hometown of Sauk Centre, MN, then worked with MNHS to create an eight-panel traveling exhibit reflecting the content of the original exhibit. The Stearns History Museum worked in partnership with the Lewis Foundation to host the new eight-panel exhibit in 2022. The exhibit is now available for travel around Minnesota!

The exhibit consists of eight pop-up panels that highlight Lewis and his life and work.  It includes information about his early life in Central MN, his literary career, his ties to Hollywood, and how his rise to fame impacted those around him.

Host sites could include museums, historic sites or structures with interior display space, government centers, libraries, schools, or spaces which allow for public access to the exhibit.  Sites are responsible for completing an application, transporting the exhibit to and from either the Stearns History Museum in St. Cloud OR the previous host site location, and providing proof of insurance coverage for any damage that may occur while hosting.

The exhibit is offered for 4-week increments and is free of charge for host sites- but donations to support its care are welcomed.  Donations can be made to the Stearns History Museum and will be designated for the long-term care of the exhibit to maintain its ability to continue traveling.

Interested in hosting?  Questions can be directed to Amy Degerstrom, Stearns History Museum Executive Director, at executivedirector@stearns-museum.org or 320-253-8424 OR you can fill out and submit the application below by emailing Amy at the address above.   Our thanks to the Sinclair Lewis Foundation for their partnership to make this exhibit possible.