The formal dedication of a new mural depicting Newtonia’s history will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Newtonia Community Center, where the mural is now hanging.
The public is invited to attend the dedication of “Newtonia Town Mural,” and also tour the Ritchey Mansion afterwards until 4 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.
The mural measures 5 by 14 feet, and depicts the history of Newtonia from the Civil War to current times. The highlights are the Ritchey Mansion in the Civil War, some of the important businesses and business people — including D.P. Weems, J.O. Clark — the shootout that occurred after the turn of the century, the barber shop and Newtonia band, churches, the Oliver’s Prairie Academy that was in Newtonia, and right up to the modern era.
The most recent events pictured in the mural iares the May 10, 2008, tornado, and the dedication to long-time Newtonia resident Gail Elery and (the historical) Gum Mercantile Store.
Carthage muralist Sherry Pettey, who has worked on other murals in the area, was commissioned to do the Newtonia mural.
