Beyond the Fourth: America250 Celebrations Continue at Dickinson
A communitywide “Sharing the Spirit of America” event was held on Wednesday, July 8, on the Academic Quad. Photo by Dan Loh.
College celebrates anniversary in song, art
by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson
The 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is especially resonant at Dickinson College, an institution founded by one of the forefathers whose signature appears on that document. While Independence Day is in the rearview, the commemoration continues through the following arts events.
Critically acclaimed baritone James Martin, associate professor of music, will present America Sings: 250 Years of Song with pianist H. Lynn Raley. This spirited program spans two and a half centuries of American music and showcases works by iconic American composers including Samuel Barber, Lee Hoiby, Thomas "Fats" Waller, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Irving Berlin and John Dickinson, the college’s namesake.
The concert will be held Sunday, July 26, at 4 p.m. in Rubendall Recital Hall, Weiss Center for the Arts.
Two Trout Gallery exhibitions explore America through visual art that explores the nation’s culture and identity. Both launched in June and remain open into the fall semester.
Branch: Trees in American Art depicts the U.S. through artworks representing American trees. It will run through Jan. 23, 2027. Recent Acquisitions: American Stories highlights new additions to the gallery’s permanent collection that focus on American artists. It continues through Sept. 26. A Pizza on the Plaza event on Sept. 4 will bring viewers together on Weiss Plaza to enjoy College Farm pizza while chatting about the works.
All of these events are free and open to the public. Together, they offer compelling ways to explore the complexities of our republic, its founding ideals and the people who have fought, protested and sacrificed in their defense, says Martin. He also sees the concert as an opportunity to reflect on the ongoing work of achieving a more perfect union.
“As a musician and an artist, it is my responsibility to reflect the face of our collective consciousness, and the best way I know how to do that is by singing the words and music of our most creative minds, who help us process it all through the beautiful power of music,” Martin explains. “It's not a job; it's my joy.”
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Published July 14, 2026