As we head into Parent's Weekend, I started to conjure up the ideas and ideals Govs' parents must have of where their children live and go to school during this magical time of their lives. The images that kept popping up in my mind, however, happened to be the actual images that were painted right above my very head. The Governor's Academy Mural is an amazing portrait of the values, leaders and environs that Govs is, and stands for. The library's mural was commissioned in 2012 for the 250th anniversary of the academy and co-created by David Fitcher and Joshua Winer.
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| Theophilus Parsons, one of Dummer's first students |
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| Yu Kil Chun, Korean educational reformer |
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| Carrie Knight Ambrose, from the first class of female students, 1872 |
As soon as a parent hears of the tradition of jumping the graduate stone wall, how do they not envision their child in white cap and gown, hurdling over in his/her own fashion?
Is it remotely possible for a parent not to be overwhelmed by the beauty of the natural surroundings on campus? Our environs include acres of salt marsh, which is one of the most productive ecosystems in nature. The Parker River provides pristine coastal habitat for over 300 species of resident and migratory birds in addition to insects and mammals! The mural depicts the red winged blackbird whistling its' quintessential song, a monarch feeding on milkweed and a painted turtle basking in the sun.
And the little red schoolhouse?! It is more than just an icon of Govs history, it serves as a beacon for the school, commemorating the legacy of the academy through the ages.
Edward Hopper said “If you could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint.” I don't think any student, teacher or alum could ever put the entirety of the Governor's experience into words, but our commemorative mural conveys so very much of the historical and day to day life of the academy and community. It's worth a long take in, by a dreaming parent, a studious pupil or a prospective family.
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