“Read This!: The History of Media in Northampton County” begins with the story of the public reading of a printed broadside copy of “The Declaration of Independence,” July 8, 1776, in Centre Square, Easton.

The exhibition, a look at the evolution of mass communications over the centuries, continues through July 11 in the Chrin Gallery, Sigal Museum, Easton.

“This exhibition invites us to see how information has shaped communities, from Colonial newspapers and pamphlets to radio, television and now the digital age,” says Sigal Museum Executive Director Megan van Ravenswaay.

A replica Colonial Era press, an antique jobber press, newspapers from the 1700s, letters and other artifacts help tell the stories and explore the technology behind how information is disseminated.

“Information is never neutral,” says Sigal Museum Curator of Collections Tim Betz. “It can build communities and topple empires, inspire creativity, fuel violence, preserve memory and spread falsehood.”

Parallels between General George Washington’s efforts to inoculate his troops against an 18th century smallpox scourge and the emergency development of vaccines to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic in the 21st century are observed in the exhibition.

“When we began this project, none of us could have imagined how central media would become in our daily lives,” says van Ravenswaay.

“That makes this exhibition all the more timely, reminding us that while the tools of communication change, the power and responsibility of information remains constant,” van Ravenswaay says.

Also on view, in partnership with “Lehigh Valley 250,” is “Remembering 1776: Commemoration & Memory of the Revolution,” through Dec. 31, in the Sigal Museum’s first-floor hallway.

The Sigal Museum is one of four museums and historic sites operated by Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society, including Bachmann Publick House, Jacob Nicholas House and the Mixsell Illick House.

“Read This!: The History of Media in Northampton County” through July 11, Chrin Gallery, Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society, Sigal Museum, 342 Northampton St., Easton. Gallery hours: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Thursday - Saturday; noon - 4 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday - Wednesday. 610-253-1222, https://sigalmuseum.org/

“Gallery View” is a column about artists, exhibitions and galleries. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com