WILSON, N.C. — October 20, 2025 — Barton College will welcome Matthew Skic, director of collections and exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, as the featured speaker for the upcoming BB&T Heritage Lecture in American History scheduled for Monday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. in Howard Chapel on the Barton campus.
Skic’s lecture, titled “Picturing Washington’s Army: An Unexpected Discovery,” explores the remarkable story behind the only known image of North Carolina troops from the Revolutionary War. Only about a dozen eyewitness images of George Washington’s army are known to exist. These rare sketches and paintings provide valuable glimpses into the appearance and daily lives of the soldiers who fought for American independence.
In 2023, Skic made an extraordinary discovery: a previously unknown sketch depicting North Carolina soldiers serving in the Continental Army. During his lecture, he will share the story of how he identified the sketch, the detective work that confirmed its authenticity, and the broader historical context that connects it to the Revolutionary era.
As director of collections and exhibitions, Skic has played a central role in shaping the Museum of the American Revolution’s public programming since its opening in 2017. He has curated multiple award-winning exhibitions, including “Hamilton Was Here: Rising Up in Revolutionary Philadelphia” (2018–2019), “Cost of Revolution: The Life and Death of an Irish Soldier” (2019–2020), and “Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia” (2023). He currently serves as project director for “The Declaration’s Journey,” a special exhibition that will anchor the museum’s initiatives commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in October 2025.
The program is free and open to the public, and community members are invited to attend.
The BB&T Heritage Lecture is endowed by BB&T, sponsored by the School of Arts and Humanities at Barton College, and co-sponsored by the Wilson County Historical Association.
For additional information, contact Dr. Lydia Walker, assistant professor of history and religion at Barton College, at [email protected] or 252-399-6440.
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