AMHERST - A white picket fence and shrubs that surround the Clark House, a historic building owned by Amherst College at the corner of College and Seelye streets, will be the subject of a demolition delay hearing.

The Historical Commission determined this week that the fence may be historically significant and will have a formal discussion about the college's proposal at its meeting Aug. 23 at 7:15 p.m. at Town Hall.

The commission can impose a 12-month delay if it determines the fence is worth preserving.

Jim Wald, chairman of the commission, said it is uncertain how old the fence is. Any structures that are at least 50 years old need demolition permits, with the town having to respond within 35 days.

Clark House, Wald said, is believed to be a former home of Edward Hitchcock, who originated the first hygiene and physical education courses at Amherst College in the 19th century. Hitchcock was the son of a college president and famed geologist who collected dinosaur tracks for whom the glacial Lake Hitchcock is named.

Meanwhile, the commission declined to hold a demolition delay hearing on a small dilapidated shed at 274 Sunderland Road.