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Renowned artist Robert Dafford and his team of muralists capture Paducah’s
rich history in paintings on the city’s floodwall overlooking the confluence of
the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers.
This visionary project began in the Spring of 1996, and currently features 54
murals. Scheduled completion of all of the murals on the city side of the
floodwall is 2007.
The first twenty panels from Jefferson Street to Broadway were completed in
2001 and feature many historic scenes in chronological order from the 1940s back
to the early 1880s.
The section of floodwall from Broadway south to Kentucky Avenue, features
Paducah’s colorful river history. This section is directly across the street
from the River Heritage Museum and the Seamen¹s Church Institute¹s Center for
Maritime Education.
Another three panel section, at the corner of Water Street and Kentucky
Avenue, south toward Washington Street, focuses on the period of unprecedented
growth in Paducah during construction of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in
the early 1950s. The old steam locomotive 2613 is also showcased at this
location. The project continues southward, in front of the Four River Center for
the Performing Arts, where additional murals depict popular events and notable
buildings and businesses in Paducah.
Interpretive Panels: Follow the panels for a self-guided tour of Paducah’s
history. Each mural has the story and history that inspired the panel.
Lighting: The City of Paducah supports the project by providing individual
spot lights allowing visitors to continue to enjoy the murals after the sun goes
down.
Tours: Paducah Ambassadors often host walking mural tours for local citizens,
visitors, motor coaches, garden clubs, civic groups, class reunion groups, and
steamboat passengers.
This project would not be possible without the generous support of Bill and
Meredith Schroeder and Schroeder Publishing, Inc. Their original contributions
and continuing support of the Mural Advisory Board are priceless.
Promotional Merchandise: Periodically, the Mural Advisory Board issues
posters and signed, limited edition art prints. Each edition presents a large
reproduction of a selected Wall to Wall mural. These posters and art prints are
available through a number of outlets. A portion of these sales goes back to
support future floodwall mural maintenance.
The Mural Advisory Board also produces: l Postcards l T-Shirts l Note Cards l
Calendars l Mugs l Mouse Pads l Aprons l Puzzles l Paper Weights l Book of
Images (Coming 2007). Click here to purchase Floodwall Mural Merchandise.
Additional locations of these outlets can be obtained by calling the Visitors
Bureau (270) 443-8783 or 1-800-PADUCAH. Visit
http://www.paducah.travel.
Businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring the painting of a mural may
obtain information by contacting: The Paducah Wall to Wall Mural Advisory Board:
270-519-1321, P. O. Box 90, Paducah, KY 42002-0090. Email:
romorse@comcast.net
Paducah’s Floodwall Mural Advisory Board directs all decision making concerning
subject matter and historical accuracy for the paintings. Proceeds from
promotional materials benefit future floodwall maintenance. |
