Paving the Road to Progress is back on display in the galleries!
The construction of interstate highways transformed the landscape of the United States of America during the second half of the 20th century; the process also altered the economy, politics, and culture of the country. This exhibit explores the origins and impact of these roads in Georgia with a focus on the political compromises and fiscal policies that made them possible. It traverses the rocky path of the interstate system’s development, which cost far more and took much longer than predicted.
The exhibit examines the tension between motorists, landowners, politicians, and the State Highway Department through artifacts, including historic maps, reports, correspondence and legislation. Political cartoons, pamphlets, and posters reveal the cultural impact of interstate travel.
