Join In: Voluntary Associations in America. Library of Congress, Washington, DC

Alexis de Tocqueville was among the first to highlight the remarkable tendency of Americans to form voluntary associations in pursuit of shared purposes. During his visit to the US in the early nineteenth century, he observed Americans enthusiastically establishing associations at a fervent rate that he believed to be unparalleled anywhere else in the world. For many years, the United States has been celebrated as, in the words of the eminent twentieth-century American historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr., “a nation of joiners.” In 2000, however, political scientist Robert D. Putnam noted a decline in civic engagement in some quarters, and urged Americans to reassess whether they still embody the spirit of “a nation of joiners.” The Library of Congress has unveiled a new exhibition, Join In: Voluntary Associations in America, which contributes to a conversation about the history of voluntary associations and their significance in American society.

The exhibit has two distinct parts, each with its own captivating features. The first part, titled “A Nation of Joiners,” is a fascinating display of how Americans have come together in various associations to achieve their common goals, from the earliest days of British America to the present. Located along the interior walls, it provides a compelling prelude to the second part, which is positioned at the center of the room and takes visitors on a journey through the past, present, and future of associations. The second part starts with an introductory film that sparks contemplation on how Americans embrace the spirit of joining together and speculate on the future direction of tradition. The exhibition space of the second part is designed with three large architectural structures inspired by the American custom of barn raising, in which an entire community would come together to build a barn for a family in need. These structures symbolize the rise of American civil society and the formation of associations throughout American history. The “past” section of the second part is divided into three modules: “A Toolkit for Associations,” “Making Associations in Early America,” and “Tocqueville: A View from Outside.” Through selected rare books and documents, the curatorial lens weaves these items into a larger story about how Americans became joiners. The section on the present, “Build Your Association,” invites visitors to sit at a table and contemplate, while the wall in front of them represents the future with a thought-provoking question, “Are We Still A Nation of Joiners?” The barn’s architectural structures become more intricate as visitors progress through the second part, representing the increasing size and complexity of American civil society over time.

Drawing from the vast collection of the Library of Congress, this exhibition breathes life into forty-five organizations across various historical periods and regions in the United States. From faith-based groups to social clubs, professional associations to labor unions, and emergency service providers to advocacy organizations, these diverse associations are showcased within the first part of the exhibit, which is divided into six distinct categories based on members’ motivation for working together.

The Fellowship category, the first in this section, features early American lodges, such as Freemasonry, which excluded women, Native Americans, African Americans, and non-Protestants. The exhibit also highlights the formation of new associations by those excluded, including Prince Hall Freemasonry for Black men, the Order of the Eastern Star for women, and the Knights of Columbus for Catholic men. The second category, Lending Hands, Joining Hands, highlights faith-based charities and associations formed by marginalized communities to combat poverty, deprivation, and discrimination. These communities include women of color, Jewish immigrants, Midwestern Latino artists, American Indians, and the LGBTQ+ community. The third category, Uniting at Work, focuses on professional associations and labor unions, including the Society of Woman Geographers and the American Federation of Labor. The fourth category, Emergency, showcases volunteer groups that worked alongside the government during catastrophic events such as volunteer firefighters, and in health care at early hospitals such as Pennsylvania Hospital or as part of the American Sanitary Commission and the American National Red Cross.

In the Changing America category, the exhibit spotlights organizations that have driven social change throughout US history. These groups have advocated for racial, gender, and economic equality, with well-known organizations such as the American Anti-Slavery Society, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Organization for Women, and the National Congress of American Indians leading the way. The final Building Communities category showcases various organizations that Americans have formed to promote neighborhood connections. It includes well-known groups such as the National Parent Teacher Association, 4-H, and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, as well as organizations within minority communities like the Latino Chamber of Commerce, the Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington, and the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project.

To deepen visitors’ understanding of American voluntary associations, the Library of Congress has created a comprehensive digital version of the exhibition, complete with related public programs.¹ This exceptional website offers a chance to delve deeper into the exhibition’s themes and artifacts, bringing its richness to those unable to attend in person. The companion book, Join In: Voluntary Associations in America, available for purchase through the Library of Congress, is a beautifully crafted resource that expands on the exhibition’s themes and includes image credits and an index for further research.

Join In aims to convey the enduring value of creating voluntary associations which have become a defining aspect of America’s social fabric. The curated artifacts showcase the contribution of these associations in cultivating self-governance, a vital aspect of American democracy. While acknowledging that some voluntary associations were exclusive and reflected social exclusion, discrimination, and division, the exhibition argues that many of these organizations have gradually become more inclusive, contributing to the rise of a more democratic society. However, the exhibit overlooks associations, such as the Ku Klux Klan and White Citizens’ Councils, which harbor illiberal, and anti-democratic elements, and have fueled political polarization and even violence, as seen in the events of the January 6th Capitol Hill insurrection. Furthermore, the section titled A Toolkit for Associations propagates the notion that American voluntary associations are solely derived from British origins, a perspective that disregards the rich diversity of American political and civic culture.

Overall, the exhibition is a thought-provoking exploration of voluntary associations’ role in shaping American society and democracy, inviting visitors to reflect on the vital role of civic engagement in charting the nation’s future. Nevertheless, the exhibition’s Anglocentric and overly rosy view of voluntary associations ignores their destructive potential.