Moland House Hosting Patriotic Art Exhibition

Ask just about any Revolutionary War buff, and they will probably agree that one of the major turning points in America's battle for independence came when the Marquis de Lafayette joined the fight against the British. General Lafayette's participation at the Battle of Brandywine, where he was wounded, and the Battle of Rhode Island strengthened the relationship between France and the colonies, leading to the 1778 Treaty of Alliance.

It's only fitting, then, that sculptor Greg Marra's proposed Revolutionary Trail of statues begins where Lafayette joined General George Washington and the rest of the American Army, at the Moland House in Hartsville.

"He's definitely a hero," said Marra. "Anybody George Washington loved, we have to love, too."

Marra will outline his ultimate plans for numerous statues throughout Bucks County commemorating the area's major contributions to the War of Independence tonight during a at the Moland House tonight at 6:30 p.m.

Marra’s vision is for the Lafayette statue to be the first in a “Revolutionary War Trail” of statues throughout Bucks County, to honor people, places and events of historic significance.

“These statues are of national importance and should not be taken lightly," said Marra. "Now is our chance to honor historic events properly to show the world how patriotic Bucks County and Pennsylvanians are.”  

Marra, a Pipersville resident for six years, believes that the Revolutionary War Trail will boost Bucks County tourism, while preserving the area’s unique national history. He also wants to add a statue of Count Casimir Pulaski, the "father of the American Cavalry" who joined Washington at the Moland House. 

Other projects that Marra has in the works include a Mourning George Washington in Reflection - a statue of the general with his horse by his side, to be sculpted for the entrance to the Washington Crossing Veterans Cemetery. This project is currently awaiting approval by the Veteran’s Administration.

While Marra has always know he wanted to be an artist, he didn't get serious about it until college. He started out majoring in environmental science, then switched to painting as an undergrad before finally moving on to sculpting.

"I like the three-dimensional feel of sculpting," said Marra. "I also like using monochromatic tones and not worrying so much about mixing the colors just right."

After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at The University of Hartford, he studied in the Tirolean region of northern Italy. He returned to America and earned a Masters of Fine Arts at the New York Academy of Figurative Arts in 2001. He went back to Europe, where he lived and taught in Vienna for three years before moving to Bucks County with his family. 

Marra will show visitors his sketch for the planned Lafayette statue during tonight's fundraiser and talk more about his proposals. Also scheduled to appear tonight is Levittown native David A. Christian, a highly decorated officer of the Vietnam War and recently announced Republican candidate for Pennsylvania's 2012 U.S. Senate race.

Verne Rider, director of Veterans Affairs for the Office of Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, will also be on hand to comment on the impact of Marra’s vision for the county and for the United States.

The Moland House was originally built as a summer retreat in 1750 by John Moland, a Philadelphia lawyer. Moland moved there permanently right befreo his death in 1760. In 1777, George Washington and the Continental Army encamped there for 13 days, from August 10 to the 23rd, when Washington received word that the British fleet had been sighted at Chesapeake Bay. Washington and his army marched down Old York Road, through Philadelphia and on to the Battle of Brandywine.