Exhibition Docent Handbook - Museum on Main Street

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“INFINITE HOGGES”European colonists in America allowedtheir animals to run free “in heardsall over the woods.” Eventually, lawsdictated landowners’ fence specificationsto protect crops and their legal rightto sue for damages from roving animals.By the 1830s, laws were enactedto contain livestock in order to protectothers’ property. But disputes over whoshould build and maintain fencescontinued for years.THINK ABOUT ITTake a look at the court decisions that offer glimpsesinto the debates surrounding people, their cropsand animals, and their fences. Think about if thesedecisions seem fair to you.Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 1938; Photo by Sheldon Dick.Library of Congress
LET’S TALK• In 1860, only seven states required ownersto fence in their animals. What consequencesof free-roaming animals might lead to conflictbetween farmers and ranchers?• Does your state have range laws on the books?Do you know what they are? As a countyofficial, how would you decide who isresponsible for building fences in yourcommunity—farmers or ranchers?• Take a look at the legal decisions handed downbetween 1829 and 1952. Which decision bestreflects your point of view? Why? Do youremember any such disputes in your communitytoday? How are they resolved?USDA
Page 1 and 2: docent handbookMuseum</stro
Page 3 and 4: Welcome to BETWEEN FENCES and thank
Page 5 and 6: THINK ABOUT ITHave your visitors en
Page 7 and 8: Chicken & Egg Public Projects, Inc.
Page 9 and 10: THINK ABOUT ITEncourage your visito
Page 11 and 12: • Match the sliding front-yard fe
Page 13 and 14: LET’S TALK• Does The Leedom Far
Page 15 and 16: Rail pile near Circleville, Ohio, 1
Page 17 and 18: THINK ABOUT ITAsk your visitors to
Page 19: THINK ABOUT ITEncourage your visito
Page 23 and 24: • Do you think livestock should h
Page 25 and 26: LET’S TALK• What do you think
Page 27 and 28: Spite fence, Lanesboro, Minnesota,
Page 29 and 30: THINK ABOUT ITAs they explore both
Page 31 and 32: Postcard of the border between Sono
Page 33 and 34: Photographs from Farm and Fence <st
Page 35: As representatives of the museum, d

Exhibition Docent Handbook - Museum on Main Street

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