Smithsonian Institution’s Traveling Exhibit, “Between Fences”

Do “good fences make good neighbors?” Why?  Montpelier Mansion, in cooperation with Maryland Humanities Council, will explore this and other aspects of the cultural history of fences and land use as it hosts the local showing of Between Fences, a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibition. Between Fences will be on view beginning September 19 and continuing through November 7.

Montpelier Mansion and the surrounding community has been expressly chosen by the Maryland Humanities Council to host Between Fences as part of the Museum on Main Street project – a national/state/local collaboration . The exhibition will tour six communities in Maryland from September 2010 through August 2011.

Through a selection of artifacts, photographs and illustrations, Between Fences will surprise audiences with its exploration of the multiple meanings behind this everyday icon. Whether made of split rails, decorative white pickets, or tall chain link, a fence conveys information about the people who built it, how they view and use their property, and the nature of their relations with their neighbors. Such barriers speak eloquently about how we view our communities and country as well.

Montpelier Mansion and “Between Fences”

All hosts of the Between Fences traveling exhibition are charged with creating a companion exhibit – as well as supporting programs such as lectures, performances, school programs, and more – based on their own community’s history with boundaries.  Montpelier Mansion has chosen to base their companion exhibit and supporting programs on the metaphorical boundaries faced by immigrants throughout history.  Starting with the arrival of Richard Snowden, an indentured servant who’s great, great grandson built Montpelier Mansion, Laurel has always been a destination for those seeking opportunity in a new land.  We will explore the challenges and successes of newcomers – both forced migrants like Africans brought here to be enslaved, and voluntary immigrants coming here to find opportunities – to this area from the 1600s to the present, striving to find common ground between the early European settlers and more recent immigrants from Latin America, Asia and Africa.

Do You Want to Be a Part of “Between Fences”?

We all have immigrant stories.  Whether you immigrated here yourself or are several generations removed from your ancestors who did, we would like to hear your memories and stories.  We are conducting interviews with residents of Laurel about their families’ immigrant experience.  The immigrant did not have to settle in Laurel, we’re just looking for family immigrant stories of people who live here now.  These stories will be featured somehow in our exhibit.  We are also looking to borrow family photographs and mementos that somehow help to tell the story of your immigrant experience.  If you would like to help us with this exhibit, you can fill out an interview questionnaire at http://www.pgparks.com/between_fences, or call Holly Burnham at (301) 377-7817, or email Montpelier Mansion at montpeliermansion@pgparks.com, and put “Between Fences” in the subject line.

Thank you very much.

Between Fences has been made possible at Montpelier Mansion in Laurel, MD by the Maryland Humanities Council.

Between Fences is part of Museum on Main Street, collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the Federation of State Humanities Councils. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and The Hearst Foundation.

        The Montpelier  Marlins Swim Team will kick off their 43^rd season with a car wash on May 22^nd in the pool parking lot.   The team is self-supporting and is comprised of Montpelier neighborhood children ages 4 – 18.

Our swimmers will clean the pollen and dirt from your cars or trucks while you relax and enjoy a “FREE” cup of coffee.  Donations will be accepted.

All residents are invited to participate in the “MCA Community Yard Sale” on Saturday, May 22^nd.   MCA will provide the advertising, maps designating your location, signs marking streets where garage sales will take place and a dumpster in the pool parking lot for items you wish to discard at the end of the day.

You can make a last minute decision to participate, however; if you want your home listed on the map, we need to know by May 18^th.  Please contact the Social Committee (cbmcasocial@verizon.net or 301-776-5008) and provide your name and address.

This event will take place rain or shine and the advertisement will indicate the time is from 8:00 AM until 1:00 PM.   You can begin or end whenever you please, but maps will only be available during that five hour timeframe.

If you have not sent in your 2010 Affidavit and Pool User Form, please send it in before March 31st.
After March 31st, the assessment amount increases to $310.10. If you are having difficulty paying the assessment, please contact a board member to discuss payment options.

Send your affidavit and assessment to:  MCA, PO Box 2503, Laurel, MD  20709.

The Social Committee presents the Annual MCA Easter Egg Hunt this Sunday, March 28, 2010 at 3 PM at the Montpelier Pool Common Grounds.  Bring your basket and join us for a hoppin’ fun time!

Children 12 and under (adult must be present).

RSVP with the number of children attending by March 24 to 301 776-5008 or email:  cbmcasocial@verizon.net

Raindate:  Saturday April 3 at 3 pm, please check the website for cancellation or the hot line 888 622 4630.  

The February meeting for the MCA Board of Trustees has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 7:00 pm in the preschool room of Deerfield Recreation Center.  Board meetings are open to all interested MCA members.

The next meeting of the Architectural Control & Compliance Committee is Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 7:00 pm at Deerfield Recreation Center.

After the snowfall that started Wednesday and continues as of Thursday evening, here’s a new list of community streets and their statuses. Please email me directly at email@tonyfleming.org to share information about your street.

Barclay Pl – Plowed 1 1/2 lane
Boxford Ct – Plowed 1 1/2 lane
Briardale Ln – Plowed 1 1/2 lane
Brittany Pl – SKIPPED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cedarbrook Ln – Plowed 2 lane
Churchfield Ln – Plowed 1 lane
Crestmont Ln – Plowed 1 lane
Crystal Rock Ln – Plowed 1 lane (Thursday, 6:00pm)
Eastbourne Ln – Plowed 1 lane
Eastgate Ln – Plowed 1 lane
Ethan Ct – Plowed 1 1/2 lane
Fernwood Turn – Plowed 1 lane
Golden Pass – Plowed 1 1/2 lane
Gramercy Ln – Plowed 1 lane
Granite Ln – Plowed 1 1/2 lane
Greystone Ln – Plowed 1 1/2 lane
Ivory Pass – Plowed 1 lane
Ivystone Ln – Plowed 1 lane
Lawnview Ln – Plowed 2 lane
Leidel Ct – Plowed 1 1/2 lane
Montpelier Dr – Plowed 2 lane
Mount Pleasant Dr – Plowed 2 lane
Muirkirk Rd – Plowed 2 lane
Orwood Ln – Plowed 1 lane Wed night.
Oxwell Ln – Plowed 1 lane
Pleasant Ct – Plowed 1 1/2 lane
Radnor Ln – Plowed 1 lane
Raven Way – Plowed early 2″ snow left
Royal Ridge Ln – Plowed 1 lane
Shadetree Ln – Plowed 1 lane (Wednesday, 12:45pm)
Silverbirch Ln – Plowed 1 1/2 lane
Starling Ln – Plowed 1 lane
Twin Hill Ln – Plowed 1 lane (Wednesday, 7:43pm)
Valerie Ln – Plowed 1 lane. (Thursday, 10:15am)
——-

Roads outside the community

Cherry Ln – no information available
Claxton – no information available
Contee – no information available
Route 1 – no information available
32 – no information available
50 – no information available
95 – no information available
97 – no information available
197 – no information available
198 – no information available
295 – no information available
Bay Bridge – no information available

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The Montpelier Board of Trustees Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 9th has been postponed.  As soon as a new day has been confirmed, the information will be posted on this website, the MCA Information Line (888 MCA Inf0), and the yahoo list serv.

The February ACCC meeting will be Thursday, February 11, 2010.  The meeting will start at 7 PM at the Deerfield Recreation Center.

ACCC meetings are usually on the first Thursday of the month, but several committee members had prior commitments so the date was changed to give more members a chance to attend the meeting.

Homeowners are welcome to attend.