Hey East Aurora community!

With the summer sun shining bright and our hallways a little quieter, we have the perfect opportunity to look closer at the incredible history surrounding our Middle School and District Office building.

If you’ve walked or driven down Main Street, you’ve undoubtedly seen the two striking bronze figures guarding our lawn. But do you know the story behind them? They aren't just beautiful local landmarks—they are a direct link to East Aurora’s rich Arts and Crafts heritage and the legendary Roycroft Campus.

Here’s a quick peek into the history sitting right in our front yard:

• The Renaissance Genius: One statue depicts Michelangelo, erected in 1909 by Roycroft founder Elbert Hubbard. Cast from an original by famed American sculptor Paul Bartlett, it features a tiny, hidden detail: a turtle on the base. It was Bartlett’s tongue-in-cheek signature, symbolizing his "perpetual slowness in execution!"
  

  

• The Sage of East Aurora: The other statue honors Elbert Hubbard himself, the visionary benefactor of our town's Arts and Crafts movement. Dedicated in 1930 and sculpted by Jerome Connor, it was funded by contributions from over 1,500 of Hubbard's friends and admirers.

  
  

Both of these historic treasures were relocated to our school grounds in 1952, thanks to Irving L. Price and the Erie County Trust Company, where they have inspired generations of EA students.

Next time you're enjoying a summer stroll down Main Street, take a moment to stop by, look for Michelangelo's turtle, and celebrate the incredible history that shapes our district!