Road Reports

Bowling Green, Ohio Preps for Between Fences

The Wood County Historical Center & Museum in Bowling Green, Ohio, is anxiously awaiting the arrival of “Between Fences” to open April 9, 2010. After an introduction to the exhibit at Ohio's first destination in Sydney, we felt that one of the most moving components was reading and talking about books written around the theme of fences. When we approached the Wood County District Public Library with our programming ideas, Maria Simon, who runs the 'The Children's Place' section of the library, was delighted to participate and full of suggestions. She immediately organized three reading programs during April (when we will have the exhibit) for readers of all ages. For the young reader, she selected “Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy” by Gary Schmidt about a preacher's son who moves to small town, befriends a girl, and together they stand up against racism. For another program that pairs child and adult readers, she felt that “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain would be a hit. "This classic story will be a wonderful book to discuss, particularly the fence whitewashing chapter! " Maria wrote in her early correspondence. 
 
We have also found that our friends and neighbors have their own stories to share about fences, so we compiled them into a six-minute video about fences in our community of Northwest Ohio, "Between Fences Comes to Wood County," written and produced by Michelle Carlisle with Defiance College. Take a look ...

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and we found that to be true. We put out a call for fence-related photos for an online gallery on FLICKR.com and were pleased with the variety and creativity of responses. Each photo told a story about the perception of fences; some were of a welcoming gossip fence or a tranquil afternoon, others the finality of a resting place. Check out our FENCES on FLICKR gallery @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/infirmary
 
As the days before our exhibit premier become fewer, we are excited at how many community groups and media outlets are taking an interest in fences. We are looking forward to working with local video stores, college professors, parks, and the Convention & Visitors Bureau to continue telling stories and “mending fences” in and around our community. 
 
-- Kelli Kling, Wood County Historical Center & Museum, Bowling Green, Ohio.

On the Road Again (and We Love It)

One of the things I most appreciate about working with Museum on Main Street is the opportunity we have to visit so many interesting places in the U.S. and to meet wonderful people from every corner of the country. In response to a question posed by our Publications office earlier this week, my MoMS Smithsonian-based colleagues Carol Harsh and Terri Cobb and I sat down to figure out just how many miles we had logged traveling this year for MoMS.

Can I get a drum roll, please? After Carol visits Indian Springs, Georgia next week, the three of us will have traveled 67,299 miles for MoMS in 2009. And, we got the chance to visit fascinating places big and small like Alliance and Omaha in Nebraska; Kodiak, Alaska; Kirksville, Missouri; Renton, Washington; Tuscumbia, Alabama; Berkeley Springs, Grafton, and Petersburg in West Virginia; Kingsland and Carrollton in Georgia; Hagatna and Asan in Guam; Sidney, Ohio; Sycamore and Chicago in Illinois; Austin, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Lindsborg, Kansas; Clinton, Mississippi; Okmulgee, Oklahoma; Enderlin and Bismarck in North Dakota; Ocean City, Maryland; and Hanley Falls, Minnesota. We can't even begin to imagine how many additional miles our Federation of State Humanities Council colleagues, our state humanities council partners, and the exhibitions themselves traveled as part of this project. My math-challenged brain can't handle it. But, one thing is sure, we have the enormous privilege of serving and experiencing communities everywhere.

We're looking forward to visiting your state and meeting you during our travels in 2010.

-- Robbie Davis, MoMS/SITES, Washington, DC

FENCES on FLICKR

Take a look at Wood County Historical Society’s technological approach to exhibit involvement! This Ohio community is adding a digital media aspect to their forthcoming Between Fences exhibit by creating the digital photography gallery, “FENCES ON FLICKR.” Read their exciting announcement below:

"The Wood County Historical Society is proud to present the Smithsonian traveling exhibit BETWEEN FENCES at the Wood County Historical Center & Museum April 9 - May 7, 2010.From September 1, 2009 - April 1, 2010, the general public is welcome to submit digital photographs of local fences for public display on the Museum's "FENCES ON FLICKR" public website at http://www.flickr.com/photos/infirmary. 

Although submitted images will be available for public viewing during that time, the gallery will be highlighted April - May, 2010 with marketing, web attention, and possibly a "showing" alongside the physical exhibit." 

  

Photo submission instructions from Wood County Historical Society are as follows:

E-mail submissions to: museum@woodcountyhistory.org.

• In the Subject line, write: FENCES on FLICKR.

• In the body of the e-mail, include the following information: Identify location of fence (address, street, city, park, etc.) Identify name of photographer, as you would like to be publicly recognized. Provide phone # and/or email (will not be made public). Give your photograph a title or some identifier (i.e. "Brandeberry Wall at the Wood County Historical Center" or "Wooden fence on West Evers, Bowling Green). Include up to 50-word narrative of your interpretation of the photograph and how it represents fences in our community.

• All approved submissions will be uploaded to the Wood County Historical Museum's "FENCES ON FLICKR" public website at http://www.flickr.com/photos/infirmary. Information including the photographer, location, and narrative will also be included. Any photographer may ask to remain anonymous. County Historical Center & Museum will review all submissions for appropriate content and retains the right to dismiss any entry that is offensive or does not meet the requirements.

Many thanks go out to Kelli Kling, Marketing, PR, and Special Events Director of Wood County Historical Center and Museum for this update.

MoMS encourages individuals from the Wood County community to submit photos to "FENCES on FLICKR!"

-- Roxanne Berschler, SITES, Washington DC