A scene from the Smithsonian’s Water/Ways exhibit will make stops in six Michigan communities, including the Niles District Library.

The national exhibit on water is likely to create waves of interest across Michigan now through spring 2019. The exhibit will highlight ways that water intersects with our environment, history, economy and culture.

The Michigan Water Heritage Project will travel with Water/Ways, adding a Great Lakes focus and sparking conversations about why healthy waters matter.

The exhibits opened Saturday at the Beaver Island Historical Society, where they’ll be hosted through Aug. 5.

“It’s really special to be able to host the Michigan premiere of these exhibits in a community located in the heart of the Great Lakes,” said Lori Taylor-Blitz, director of the Beaver Island Historical Society.

The hosting schedule will include:

• Raven Hill Discovery Center, East Jordan, Aug. 11-Sept. 23.

• Artworks, Big Rapids, Sept. 29-Nov. 11.

• Alcona Public Library, Harrisville, Nov. 17-Dec. 30.

• Niles Public Library, Niles, Jan. 5-Feb. 17.

• Shiawassee Arts Center, Owosso, Feb. 23-April 7.

The Smithsonian exhibit is supported by the Office of the Great Lakes in partnership with the Michigan Humanities Council, Cranbrook Institute of Science and Michigan State University. The Michigan Water Heritage Project is funded by a grant from the Erb Family Foundation.

To learn more about the exhibits, contact Rachel Coale with Office of the Great Lakes, (517) 290-4295.