Craig Howell PUBLIC ART – Hancock County's entry into the West Virginia America250 Mural program was installed Thursday in downtown Weirton. Organized through the Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the mural includes depictions of various landmarks, industries and cultural and recreational aspects of Hancock County.

WEIRTON — New artwork is now on display in downtown Weirton as part of a statewide program celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday.

Hancock County’s mural, created through the West Virginia America250 Mural Program, was unveiled Thursday afternoon on the south wall of 3246 Main St.

Painted on mural fabric and adhered to the building, the project was funded through a $5,000 allocation from the West Virginia Department of Tourism.

Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Rachel Keeney thanked community volunteers, members of the Top of West Virginia Arts Council, art students from Weir Middle School and employees from the City of Weirton Public Works Department for their efforts in painting, preparing and installing the mural.

“This was over 225 hours’ worth of work,” Keeney said.

Keeney also thanked the Hancock County Commission for its support in applying for the tourism grant.

The mural highlights a range of Hancock County’s past, present and future, from the World’s Largest Teapot and Rock Springs Park in Chester to the Wayne Six Toll Bridge and Fiesta in Newell.

New Cumberland is represented through depictions of brick ovens that were part of the community’s earliest industry, as well as a riverboat and the Memorial to the Perpetual Defenders of the Union monument in front of the Hancock County Courthouse.

Weirton is featured with molten steel being poured into an area depicting Form Energy, along with the city’s motto, “Success in Unity.”

Other elements include the sign from Tomlinson Run State Park, the Peter Tarr Furnace known for producing cannonballs used by Commodore Oliver Perry in the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813, a recreational bike trail and a set of playing cards along with dice and a poker chip.

A website will be launched in the coming weeks, accessible via a QR code on the mural, providing descriptions of each element and its historical significance in an effort to encourage visitors to explore each site.

“We’re glad to have public art in downtown Weirton,” Keeney said. “Hopefully, it will bring some people into downtown Weirton and they’ll learn more about our area.”

City officials said they were pleased to take part in the project and see the mural as part of broader beautification efforts.

“We’re working toward beautifying the city of Weirton,” Assistant City Manager DeeAnn Pulliam said. “We think this is a good step.”

Pulliam noted the city looks forward to additional collaborative efforts with the Top of West Virginia to attract visitors.

The West Virginia America250 Mural Program was announced by Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Nov. 7 as part of West Virginia’s observance of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Each county has the opportunity to receive $5,000 from the state to help cover materials and artist fees. The grants are made possible through a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

Any murals selected as part of the America250 program must incorporate the official logo and will be included in promotion through the Department of Tourism.