A new exhibit at Glencairn Museum showcases the art form of Easter egg decorating brought to the United States by the Pennsylvania Dutch, writes Emily Neil for WHYY.

While egg decorating is an essential element of Easter today, when immigrants first brought it to the U.S., they were not received kindly.

“Some people rejected it, because it wasn’t their form of Christianity,” said Leah Smith, manager of visitor experience at the Glencairn Museum.

The full range of egg decorating techniques and their history is now on display at the Bryn Athyn museum as part of the “Easter Eggs: Symbols of Rebirth and Renewal” exhibit.

The exhibit features over 200 eggs. Some date as far back as 1844 while others are works by present-day Pennsylvania artists.

“We’re really pleased to be able to highlight these works and to give Pennsylvania some attention in terms of the commonwealth’s diversity of traditions and these really robust artistic traditions associated with the Easter season,” said Patrick Donmoyer, exhibit co-curator.

The exhibit is on display through May 5, 2024.

Read more about Glencairn Museum in WHYY.

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