CLINTON - As the new adult services librarian at the Vespasian Warner Public Library, Bobbi Perryman reacted understandably when she had the opportunity to write a grant proposal to fund an exhibit about fences.

"I didn't think it would be very interesting and wasn't sure if it would draw much attention in Clinton," she said. "But I did a little research and now that I have seen it, I have a much better understanding of how popular this exhibit will be."

"Between Fences" will open at the library Jan. 17 and remain on display through Feb. 28, Perryman said.

In addition, the library will host programs that include a discussion on the interurban railroad. DeWitt County historian Joey Woolridge will host a program on cemeteries and Abraham Lincoln impersonator Lonn Pressnall will discuss land use and rivers.

Dates and times will be announced next month.

The exhibit belongs to the National Building Museum at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Its visit to Clinton is made possible by the Illinois Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Illinois General Assembly.

Former mayor and local historian Stan Stites is among those anxious for its arrival.

"I can see opportunities for large groups to take advantage of this exhibit because there are only about six places in Illinois that will have the chance to host it," Stites said. "I think it will be a great cultural event for the entire community as well as an economic development opportunity."

The exhibit explores the history of fences in America, information about the people who built them, how they view and use their property, and the nature of relations with neighbors.

"There is a sense of history with fences and what they mean to those who build them," Perryman said. "While it may sound unusual at first, we think that people will be very intrigued with it and I expect to see a great response from it. I actually think the word-of-mouth traffic will be very high."

The exhibit features four freestanding panels six or seven feet tall, Perryman said. She wants residents to donate their own stories, documents and photos about unique fences or unusual fence stories.

"What we have found, particularly with farmers and those who live in rural areas, that the fences have been built for a reason and there is sometimes a great story as a result of that," she said. "That's the kind of thing this exhibit will be remembered for."