In 2008, Ketchum and Lava Hot Springs, Idaho examined the familiar to make an exhibit their own.
The two host sites incorporated community members and local history into their Between Fences programming as a means of fleshing out the exhibit while heightening its relevance to the people of their respective regions. Read on to learn of the historic tales that transformed the Between Fences exhibit into a unique experience for these two communities.
Ketchum, ID:
These publicity photos from Ketchum, Idaho, were taken of Dave Tatsuno and his son Rod. Dave is the only known person to have recorded home movies of the Japanese internment in the Topaz camp during World War II.
Rod Tatsuno was one of the speakers during the Between Fences celebration in Ketchum, Idaho. The “Between Fences” theme adopted a fresh sense of poignancy in the presence of a Camp Topaz survivor.
Lava Hot Springs, ID:
“Their might, Their Power; Eight Women Influential in Area History” was the play created in Lava Hot Springs to accompany the Between Fences exhibit. According to the Idaho State Journal, this local production “looks at the early history of South Bannock County and the women who played a role in it.” The Bannock County Historical Museum relied on an important partnership in order to bring this project to fruition; Jamie Romine of Idaho State University’s drama department authored the play while specifically incorporating local history and the “fence” theme into her writing.
Upon addressing the play’s subject matter, Between Fences exhibit coordinator Cathy Sher said “Many things can be a fence, including gender… History is usually told from the viewpoint of men, this is a different perspective.”
Our appreciation to both communities for digging deep to create a community connection with the Between Fences exhibit!
- Roxanne Berschler -- SITES, Washington D.C.
