Audio Script



The mural is set at the Glassboro water tower, perhaps the tallest and most noticeable man-made construction in Glassboro, on Rowan University’s campus and is between Hollybush Mansion and Glassboro High School, the only public high school in town. While you may stand close to it, it is often better to look from afar so as to view the entire mural, specifically Hollybush Mansion or the high school. From these two spots, only half of the mural can be seen, however, that is the intention. From Hollybush, the right side of the mural can be recognized. On this side of the mural stands Lyndon B. Johnson, 36th President of the United States. During his Presidency in 1967, Johnson held a monumental meeting with Alexei Kosygin the Premier of the Soviet Union to reduce tensions of the Cold War between the USA and the USSR. Here you can see him smiling and looking into the eyes of a man who’s hand he is shaking.

From Glassboro High School, the left side of the mural can be seen. On this side of the mural stands former President Ronald Reagan. In 1986, President Reagan attended the high school’s commencement for the class of 1986 and gave a speech on the theme of peace, in remembrance of the time that President Johnson met with the Soviet Premier in the hopes of progressing towards global peace. From this angle, Reagan can be seen standing just as Johnson was, shaking his hand and smiling. Behind the presidents are the people of Glassboro who showed their support for President Johnson and all of America during the Glassboro Summit. Above this, the water tower reads “Glassboro, Coming Together Since 1878” to recognize the ability of the people of Glassboro to come together at this moment and support the nation and what it stands for.
 

Although it may seem odd that the mural is not located at the place of interest - the Hollybush Mansion - it is anything but that. By locating the mural at a point between and visible by the Hollybush Mansion and Glassboro High School, it further conveys the amazing history of the Glassboro Summit, which occurred at the Hollybush Mansion under Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson, and was commemorated 19 years later by Republican President Ronald Reagan. The Glassboro Summit should not be remembered solely for the fact that President Johnson was here, but rather what he was here for and what the Glassboro community came together to do at that moment. By locating the mural around the top of the Glassboro Water Tower, it signifies importance due to its height and visibility across the town and university. In addition to this, by placing the crowd of townspeople from Glassboro above the presidents and connecting them around the circumference of the water tower, it elucidates the townspeople and their ability to join together as the most important part of this historical event. The Glassboro Summit and the members of the Glassboro community both perpetuated the idea of coming together and mutual acceptance, with the Summit as the first major attempt to calm tensions between the United States and the USSR, while the Glassboro community rallied together in support of the United States, ignoring any and all differences in political opinions. This idea of mutual acceptance regardless of differences is something that has long been forgotten on a national scale, and therefore, must first be remembered by the current Glassboro community so that they may once again aid the country in the depolarization of political and cultural beliefs for the greater good of all people.

The decision for the water tower to be colored a faint yellowish cream color with maroon writing and for the photos to be black and white is deliberate. Although President Johnson met with Premier Kosygin at Hollybush in 1967, Glassboro High School played a role in this meeting as well. In the year 1986, President Reagan decided to attend the commencement of the class of ‘86 of Glassboro High. The focus of his attendance and speech was to present the idea of peace, both domestic and abroad. The choice of the maroon and yellow/cream is to represent the colors of this high school. Along with this are the black and white pictures, used to represent the historic side to the Hollybush meeting, and how it should be commemorated for its role in starting talks to end the Cold War.