Between Fences

There are only a few weeks left for you to take advantage of seeing Between Fences, an exhibition designed by the Smithsonian Institution specifically for small, rural communities. The exhibition explores themes of boundaries, place, and space using objects and images including fences, tools, photographs, and publications such as product literature, journals, postcards, and posters.

The Wisconsin Humanities Council coordinates the tour, as part of the Museums on Main Street program, working closely with Wisconsin's six host organizations and communities to plan public programs on the many themes of the exhibition, such as land use, defining public and private space in terms of home, farm, and factory, the settling of the United States, and the boundaries and borders of human relationships.

For more information, see the Wisconsin Humanities Council press release.

Only a few weeks left!

Citizens for a Scenic Wisconsin (CSW) hosts its first Public Scenic Seminar at 6:00 in the evening at the Landmark Resort in Egg Harbor. The seminar details the basic tools for controlling blight and promoting beautification. CSW's goal is to empower people to help preserve and protect scenic Wisconsin for generations of economic, social, and environmental health.

For more details, please see: Scenic Seminar

A lecture followed by a question and answer session will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in Mineral Point with proceeds going toward the Mineral Point Opera House Fund. More information including a press kid can be found at:

Rural Studio Architecture

Through its association with the National Barn Alliance, the Wisconsin Barn Preservation Program promotes similar activities and programming in nearby states. One such event, being coordinated by the Illinois Barn Alliance is coming up on June 13 and 14, includes a tour and educational program. More information including an agenda and registration form can be found at:

http://www.willcountylanduse.com/ilbarnalliance.htm

FOR UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN ALUMNI ONLY.

Wisconsin's Natural and Cultural Landscapes - A Sense of Place

Get an in-depth look at Wisconsin's natural and cultural landscapes, from its distinctive red barns to the state's golden prairies and crystal lakes, Wisconsin has a unique landscape to learn about and explore. This six-week "online" course, led by William H. Tishler, emeritus professor of landscape architecture, requires an internet connection and an e-mail address.

Register online or contact Ellen Clarke toll free at (888) 947-2586 or EllenClarke@uwalumni.com. Deadline is May 30th.

From 1994-2004, UW-Extension helped coordinate and offer a series of regional barn preservation workshops. These events provided significant opportunities to learn from the many professionals that provide expertise and services to individuals with barn preservation needs. These were popular programs that required a significant amount of planning. A successful workshop model emerged from these events and searching through the listing below, you can download a number of program brochures that help communicate that basic agenda.

If you are interested in helping plan such an event, contact your county UW-Extension Community Resource Development Educator. You can receive information in the mail about future programs like these by emailing your name and complete mailing address to: dscraven@whs.wisc.edu.

Barns on the Urban Edge: Giving New Life to Old Barns
Schumacher Farm County Park
Waunakee, Wisconsin
Contact: Mindy Habecker, Dane County UW-Extension
Community Resource Development Educator
(608) 224-3718
Download Program Brochure (PDF File 74 kb)

Saving Barns in Northwestern Wisconsin
Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center
Ashland, Wisconsin
Contact: Tim Kane, Bayfield County UW-Extension,
Community Resource Development Educator
(715) 682-7017
Download Program Brochure (PDF File 33 kb)

Schuster Barn Raising

On Saturday, June 23, 2007, visitors to Schuster's Playtime Farm experienced an old fashioned barn raising. Find out more using the links below:

Background Information (PDF file, 52 kb)
Wisconsin State Journal article June 24, 2007 (PDF file, 727 kb; used with permission.)
A Project Update September 7, 2007 (PDF file, 70 kb)
Video slideshow of the event (QuickTime video, 97 Mb, opens in new window.)