New Bridgewater College exhibit spotlights mascot Ernie the Eagle

BRIDGEWATER, Va. (WHSV) - A mascot is more than just a costume — it represents tradition and school pride. A new exhibit at Bridgewater College is giving its campus community a new look at that tradition.

The exhibit shines a spotlight on a familiar face in the campus community: its mascot, Ernie the Eagle. The display offers visitors a closer look at Ernie’s significance and his connection to the college’s history.

“We’ve been wanting to do a Time Travel with Ernie exhibit for years, and the time seemed especially right now,” saidStephanie Gardner, Bridgewater College’s special collections librarian. “We used artifacts from our Ruby Pritchett Museum collection. We’ve used photographs and documents from the college archives to tell the story of eagles at Bridgewater College over the years, and also the story of Ernie the Eagle, especially over the years.”

The exhibit is open to anyone who would like to learn more about the mascot and its importance to the Bridgewater College family.

It will be available until April 2027. You can learn more on the college’s website, bridgewater.edu.