We live between fences. We may hardly notice them, but they are dominant features in our lives and in our history. Thousands of types have been invented, millions of miles have been produced, and countless rivals have seized post, rail, panel, and wire to stake their claims. In 1871, the Department of Agriculture estimated the total value of fences in the United States at 1.7 billion, a sum almost equal to the national debt. Our past is defined by the cutting point of barbed steel and the staccato rhythm of the white picket. Built of hedge, concrete, wood and metal, the fence skirts our properties and is central to the American landscape.

The United States as we know it could not have been settled and built without fences; they continue to be an integral part of the nation. Fences stand for security: we use them to enclose our houses and neighborhoods. They are decorative structures that are as much part of the landscape as trees and flowers. Industry and agriculture without fences would be difficult to imagine. Private ownership of land would be an abstract concept. But fences are more than functional objects. They are powerful symbols. The way we define ourselves as individuals and as a nation becomes concrete in how we build fences.

Come join us March 21st - May 1 2009 for an exciting Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit at the Main Street Delaware City Arts Center.


Saturday April 11th from 11-12
Battery Park, Delaware CIty

The Diamond State Base Ball Club will be replicating baseball as it was in the mid-19th century, at a time before fences played much of a role in the game.
Games were typically played in large open spaces at the edge of cities- public parks, school yards, pastures, etc.
Come see them in uniform from 11 AM - 12 PM and then head over to watch the game at Fort DuPont at 1:00 PM!
http://diamondstatebaseball.org


Saturday April 18th from 11 AM - 3 PM (Rain date April 19th from 11 AM - 3 PM)
Battery Park, Delaware City
Community Fence Building Workshop

Come participate in the making of a split-rail and iron fence! Our town blacksmith, Kerry Rhoades, of Delaware City's Forged Creations along with The Challenge Program will show you how fences are really made! There will be lots of opportunity for you to interact and learn.
For participants age 12 and older.

-- More details about programming to follow --



The "Between Fences" Exhibit Will Be Open the Following Times:

Wednesdays: 9 AM -3 PM, with a docent guided tour at 12 PM

Thursdays: 1 PM - 8 PM, with a docent guided tour at 2 PM

Fridays: 1 PM - 8 PM

Saturdays: 12 PM - 8 PM, with a docent guided tour at 12 PM

Sundays: 12 PM - 8 PM

School groups are always welcome. Please call in advance to ensure a guided tour.
Interested in being a docent? No experience in necessary, just an interest in the exhibit! Please contact us for more information.


For more information on the exhibit:



Volunteer for a Smithsonian National Traveling Exhibit!
Volunteer forms are available at:
Main Street Delaware City Arts Center
60 Clinton Street, Delaware City
and
Delaware City Public Library
250 Bayard Street, Delaware City


All are welcome to volunteer and participate! Prospective volunteers please contact
Julia Morrill
(302) 365-1062
jmorrill@atlanticbb.net




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Between Fences has been made possible in Delaware City, DE by the Delaware Humanities Forum.

Between Fences is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the
Smithsonian Institution and the Federation of State Humanities Councils.
Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States
Congress, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and The Hearst
Foundation.