About Between Fences

The Maryland Humanities Council is excited to bring the Smithsonian Institution exhibit, Between Fences, to Maryland from September 2010 through August 2011.

Why Fences?

By evoking the many meanings of this everyday icon, Between Fences will intrigue and surprise audiences as they discover how tightly fences are intertwined with politics, industry and daily life.

As it travels through Maryland, the exhibit offers numerous opportunities for local host sites to link their community's history, traditions and artifacts to this national story. Artifacts that exemplify local stories about borders, bridges and boundaries and programs that focus on local fences, both physical and psychological, will ground the national exhibit in each community. Topics might include settlement patterns, town architecture, transportation systems, civil rights and civility among neighbors.

Maryland has many stories connected to the exhibit themes-its role as a border state between north and south, stewardship of the Chesapeake and its natural resources, suburban development and planned communities, the arrival of the country's first immigrants from Europe and Africa and the stories of today's immigrants.

Between Fences is sure to engage audiences, create conversations and inspire community members to come together across borders and backyard fences to share their unique "fence stories."

Between Fences is part of the Museum on Main Street program, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and state Humanities Councils.