Every Easton Area School District fourth grader had a chance to explore the history of the American Revolution through art thanks to a new Bicentennial Art History Docent project. (Photo | JaQuan Alston)
By Kelly Huth
This spring, every Easton Area School District fourth grader had a chance to explore the history of the American Revolution through art thanks to a new Bicentennial Art History Docent project created by Lafayette for the 2025-26 academic year. The project was made possible through a Crayola Community grant.
Students from the district’s seven elementary schools visited Skillman Library and Williams Center for the Arts to view artwork from Lafayette’s collection and participate in interactive lessons about key figures central to the founding of the College and the nation. After the visit, students reflected on what they had learned and created art in their classrooms, a portion of which was displayed July 11 at Easton Heritage Day. The full exhibit will be highlighted Oct. 3 at the Community Arts Fair component of Fall Arts Festival at Lafayette.
Chelsea Morrese, executive director of community engagement and director of Landis Center, explained the project served as a powerful expression of the College’s enduring partnership with the Easton community and a way for students to experience history through art, inquiry, and shared discovery.
“Each visit is enriched by the creativity and care of our students and librarians, who designed every learning module and activity, provided an engaged introduction to the College to bring the past to life, and reminded us all that we are part of a shared story continuing to unfold.”
On campus, fourth graders participated in six interactive stations led by Lafayette students and staff.
“They’re learning about our Bicentennial, the Marquis de Lafayette, George Washington, and the American Revolution,” Rico Reyes, director of galleries and curator of collections, shared during the event.
In one gallery session, students examined William Walcutt’s Pulling Down the Statue of George III at Bowling Green, N.Y. July 9, 1776, an 1857 oil-on-canvas painting that’s part of the College’s collection. Lafayette docents encouraged each group of fourth graders to analyze the work, which depicts a scene after a public reading of the Declaration of Independence.
“It’s a way for them to understand the emotional state (of the country) at that time,” Reyes said.
Students also viewed The First Meeting of Washington and Lafayette, an 1876 lithograph from Currier & Ives. Reyes said Lafayette docents encouraged them to compare the two works, their composition, use of color, facial expressions, and style.
In Skillman Library, students gathered around Missy Nerino, archivist, Special Collections and College Archives, as she showed early maps of Easton and Lafayette, and explained what those days were like at the College.
“We could see what’s changed over time and how the buildings changed as they needed more room for students,” said Collin Horvath, a fourth grader at Shawnee.
Megan Heckenberger, a fourth grade teacher at Shawnee Elementary School, said her students were very excited to visit Lafayette and explore the campus.
“In the beginning of the year, we talked about the Constitution and Pennsylvania state history, so a lot of what they’re learning today ties in,” Heckenberger said during the visit.
Not only did the program afford students a chance to learn more about the history of their community, but also an idea of where they might go when they’re older, she said. “In fourth grade I try to get them thinking about their future as much as possible.”
For Graycen Reidi, 10, the visit already had her dreaming of what’s next.
“I want to be a Disney imagineer, and I think this could help me because it shows me what college might be like if I want to be an engineer when I grow up.”
The Arts at Lafayette will host the third annual Fall Arts Festival at Lafayette College Oct. 1-4 with screenings, performances, exhibits, and more across campus.
Artwork from Easton’s fourth graders will be displayed at the Community Arts Fair, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat., Oct. 3.
