Post #7, Wall Paintings (1st Floor)

Hello, and thankyou again for joining me. Today, we are going to talk about some of the wonderful wall paintings that you will find on the 1^st floor of the rotunda in the Kansas State Capitol Building. While all of these pieces are paintings, it’s important to notice that these paintings, in particular, were painted directly on the plaster walls of the Kansas Statehouse. That means there was no room for mistake; literally. All eight of these murals were completed in 1953 and they highlight important and significant events in Kansas history. The murals cover everything from small battles that occurred with native Indian tribes to the creation and implementation of the railroad system that forever changed how farmers would trade livestock and how people would travel.

At first glance, you become very aware that all the paintings were done with extreme care and detail, but what you probably didn’t notice is that each painting has a hidden object that the artist (David H. Overmyer) delicately placed. For example, you more than likely didn’t catch the rifle in the bottom left hand corner of the “Arrival of the Railroad” mural and that’s ok, because I didn’t either. In addition, some of the murals were painted using only three primary colors and I found this to be amazing when my tour guide told me this bit of exquisite information.

I encourage you to take a long and detailed look at all eight of the murals as it is likely that you will spot the hidden image if you do so. It is clearly obvious that Mr. Overmyer took his time in the creation of all eight of these beautiful decorated paintings and I guess he doesn’t have to worry about them going anywhere anytime soon! The names and photos of each mural are posted below, and I also encourage you to use the following links to gain a further understanding of just how special these paintings really are!

*Below you will find the corresponding plaques and paintings that are directly below one another.* 

(Links will be posted at the bottom of the page, after the photos).

For further information please refer to the following links:

Arrival of the Railroads: http://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-state-capitol-online-tour-arrival-of-the-railroad/16591

Battle of the Arikaree: http://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-state-capitol-online-tour-battle-of-arickaree/16585

Battle of Mine Creek: http://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-state-capitol-online-tour-battle-of-mine-creek/16586

Building a Sod House: http://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-state-capitol-online-tour-building-a-sod-house/16587

The Chisholm Trail: http://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-state-capitol-online-tour-chisholm-trail/16592

Lewis and Clark in Kansas: http://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-state-capitol-online-tour-lewis-and-clark-in-kansas/16588

The Coming of the Spaniards: http://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-state-capitol-online-tour-spaniards/16583

Westward, Ho!: http://www.kshs.org/p/kansas-state-capitol-online-tour-westward-ho/16590

Please make yourself aware that I consistently use the Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS) website

to gain an understanding of my topics which reside on this page. In addition, I would also like

to give thanks to my wonderful tour guide that provided me with further information that cannot be found 

on the KSHS website. 

Thank You, 

Please join me again soon as I delve into the 

House of Representatives conference room which is 

surprisingly an exhibit that visitors can visit as well.