Art, history and science meet in Eagle Point students' mural of life on the Hudson
Project based on study of the river’s commercial and ecological significance to Fort Orange and Albany

Eagle Point students, staff and parents are celebrating the newest addition to the school – a 10-feet tall by 6-feet wide mural painted by students that celebrates the Hudson River’s impact on Albany since 1609. 

The mural is the product of a Social Studies unit in the fifth grade classroom of Linda Willigan and Darby Seward, in which students examined the Hudson River’s significance to the city in terms of transportation, the environment, commerce and the Industrial Revolution. The study unit was aided by a grant from The Arts Center of the Capital Region awarded to the teachers, and was based on the Albany Institute of History and Art’s ongoing exhibit, Full Steam Ahead. The exhibit explores the impact on the region of Robert Fulton’s steamboat journey to Albany 200 years ago, as well as his improvements to steam travel. 

The grant allowed the teachers to work collaboratively with the Albany Institute to bring digital reproductions of paintings and artifacts from the museum into their classroom. The resources supplemented the American History “museum” Mrs. Willigan has established in her classroom, which includes information, documents and artifacts from the time prior to European settlement of the New World through more recent time periods. 

The grant also enabled the 19 students in the teachers’ classes to work with local illustrator Laura Ludwig Hamor on the mural, which adorns a prominent archway in a corridor on the school’s second floor. But, before painting, students were immersed in lessons across subject areas to enhance their understanding and appreciation of the Albany Institute's steamboat exhibit. 

“The resources from this grant from having the reproductions in our classroom to seeing the exhibit at the Albany Institute, really made the material come alive for our students,” Mrs. Willigan said. “By taking what they learned and translating it into a mural that is on display for the entire school community, it is my hope that they have gained an understanding of this important time period in our region’s history and in American history.” 

The colorful mural, which was unveiled at a May 15 ceremony at the school, traces Albany's roots from the Halfmoon to more modern times, with larger buildings looming to the west of the important body of water. A majestic eagle soars above the city skyline, while tulips grace the earth below. 

“Art is a wonderful way for students to make connections with history and other content areas, and our students were thrilled to have the opportunity to translate what they learned into such a beautiful public display,” said Mrs. Seward, a special education teacher who works with students who are integrated into the general education setting. “The resources that were provided through the Albany Institute and the grant from the Arts Center of the Capital Region were invaluable as we impressed upon our students the unique role that our region played during this time period when transportation and industry were revolutionized.” 

The study unit – and the idea to apply for the grant – was based upon an American history exhibit at the Museum of Metrolopolitan Art in New York City, which Mrs. Willigan and Mrs. Seward attended through the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center. They have submitted their lesson plans for the unit to the New York State Department of Education, and anticipate that their unit will be a model for teachers statewide interested in doing similar classroom activities. 

In addition, the teachers and Eagle Point Elementary School Principal Kathleen Brown recently learned that they have been awarded a Teaching the HudsonValley grant through the National Park Service to build on the steamboat unit. The proposed curriculum that helped them win the grant, Fulton’s Steamboat: Where History & Art Meets Science and Industry, will bring an interdisciplinary approach to studying this topic of local importance. In addition, students will visit Albany Institute and the Riverspark in Waterford at the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson rivers.  

“The mural is a beautiful addition to our school, and knowing that this work will continue with next year’s students with the Teaching the Hudson Valley grant is wonderful news,” Mrs. Brown said. “Eagle Point Principal Kathleen Brown said. “Mrs. Willigan and Mrs. Seward have shown that creativity and curiousity will bring lesson plans to life for our students who are having a great experience learning about the Hudson River and its valuable role in the region.” 

The grant, which includes training for the teachers this summer and classroom activities beginning in the fall 2008, is collaboration between the City School District of Albany and the Albany Institute of History and Art. Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Willigan, Mrs. Seward, as well as Erika Sanger, the institute’s director of education, Tracy Grosner, the institute’s teacher program coordinator, and Bryan Cartwright, school district instructional supervisor for Social Studies, worked on the application and will oversee its implementation.