How museums can help rebuild trust in a divided America

By: Devon Akmon, Michigan State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 5, 2026

Words: 1,209

Last Updated: 3 days, 14 hours ago

Body Text Preview

By Devon Akmon, Michigan State University

Across the United States, political polarization has deepened to historic levels. In a report published in May 2025, the Pew Research Center found that Americans are more divided and less trusting of one another than at any point in recent decades. Yet museums remain among the few places where curiosity still draws people across political and cultural lines.

Ninety-two percent of adults view museums as nonpartisan sources of …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

Email Us