The Robert R. Newlen ’75 & John C. Bradford Special Collections at Bridgewater College will commemorate the 500th anniversary of Anabaptism with a new exhibition from Friday, April 11 to Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.
“A Showcase of Historic Brethren Artifacts: Celebrating the 500th Anniversary of Anabaptism” will display more than 20 artifacts selected from the Newlen-Bradford Special Collections and the Reuel B. Pritchett Museum Collection at BC. The artifacts, which date from the 18th through the 20th centuries, reflect the Christian movement’s core values of community, simplicity and service. Items on exhibit include a 1776 Bible published by Christopher Sauer Press, the first German-language publisher in North America, and Brethren plain clothing worn by Rockingham County, Va., resident Katharine Flory Good around the turn of the 20th century. Other artifacts include a ruby-colored miniature pitcher that was a souvenir of the 1902 Brethren Annual Conference and decorative gifts and purchases collected by Brethren missionaries working abroad.
“I wanted to honor Bridgewater College’s Church of the Brethren roots on this 500th anniversary year of Anabaptism,” said Stephanie S. Gardner, Special Collections Librarian and exhibition curator.
The Anabaptist movement came about in the wake of the Protestant Reformation and has roots in 16th-century Germany and Switzerland. The Church of the Brethren is an Anabaptist Christian denomination; Bridgewater College is historically affiliated with the church, while welcoming all perspectives.
The exhibition is free to the public and will show on the lower level of the John Kenny Forrer Learning Commons during the hours that the building is open to the public: 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays; and noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays. Check the Forrer Learning Commons website before visiting for campus holidays and weather-related closures.
AT A GLANCE
“A Showcase of Historic Brethren Artifacts: Celebrating the 500th Anniversary of Anabaptism”
When: On display Friday, April 11 through Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.
Where: Robert R. Newlen ’75 & John C. Bradford Special Collections, lower level of the John Kenny Forrer Learning Commons
Hours: The exhibition is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays; 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays; and noon to 9 p.m. on Sundays.
Cost: Free and open to the public.
Media Contact:
Heather Cole
Editor & Media Relations Director
hcole@bridgewater.edu
3/31/25
