THE ATHENS HISTORICAL MURALS

ATHENS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, 1921

This mural is located on the north wall of the Athens District High School gymnasium. The mural depicts the last graduating class of Athens High School, before the disastrous fire of October, 1921, which left the building a heap of burning debris. The mural was painted by Dan Sawartzky, who currently resides in British Columbia.

TURKEY FAIR DAY

This mural, painted in 1986 by Mary Lynn Baker, is located on the west wall of Athens Food Town, 2 Main Street East, and depicts that special day of by-gone years known as Turkey Fair Day. Every detail of costume, shoes, children's attire, boots and horse harnesses was researched by Baker to make the mural as realistic as possible.

TRAIN STATION

This mural was painted in 1987 by Lorrie Maruscak, and is located on the east wall of Athens Pro Hardware. It depicts the time between 1888 and 1952 when the train travelling between Brockville and Westport would stop at the Athens train station. The train brought much needed prosperity and economic growth to the Athens community.

FARM LIFE

This mural, located on the west wall of Athens Pro Hardware Warehouse, was painted in 1990, by artist Cathie McGuire. The border features alternating patterns of quilt squares and historic farm scenes. The centre of the mural depicts farmers and a steam machine threshing the grain which separated the grain from the stem.

HIGHWAY 42 EAST OF ATHENS IN THE 1890S

This mural was painted by Mary Lynn Baker in 1994. It is the most recent of the 12 murals and the third painted by Mary Lynn. It is located on teh east wall of Athens Food Town. In the centre of the mural is a map of Highway 42 and area, and is surrounded by more detailed pictures of the buildings which were located in this area.


THE VILLAGE BANDSTAND

Completed by John Hood in 1987, this mural depicts the band and the bandstand as seen from the south, with the then new Model School in the background, C. 1925. The scene is located on the west wall of Nancy's Video Plus, 29 Main Street East.


THE GATHERING

Pierre Hardy was commissioned in 1987, to reproduce an original oil painting of local artist Crawford Chelson Slack.Pierre has captured the spirit of the "Locals" gathered around the stove, catching up on the local news and events, and by including a portrait of "Crawf" in the oval at the right of the mural, has paid tribute to the talents of our own local artist. Pierre has also painted himself at work, at the left of the mural.

AS THE PAGES TURN...

This mural, painted by Pierre Hardy in 1988, depicts an open book, showing the exterior of the cheese factory on the left page and the interior on the right page. Both renderings are monochrome as old photographs are. In the foreground, a little girl is browsing through the book in question.


THE OLD HARTLEY SAW MILL, SPRINGTIME AT LAST

This mural is painted by artist Pierre Hardy, on the north wall of the H & R Feed & Pet Supplies building, in 1988. In this mural, the action takes place in the lumber yard of the Hartley Saw Mill. It is springtime, the time of year when farmers are busy repairing winter damages to their barns and house.

BRAVE DEED

This mural was completed on the east wall of the Athens Fire Hall in 1990. The scene depicts courageous men, women and children as they attempted to quell the fire raging in an area located behind the present Athens Meats.

CHARLESTON LAKE PICNIC

Noreen Mallory has presented the dazzling beauty of a perfect summer day at Charleston Lake, C. 1915.Athens residents Crawf Slack, Jennie Lamb and others are enjoying a peaceful picnic, while children swim in the calm bay waters. The mural, painted in 1987, is located on the west wall of Athens Meats, 17 Main Street East.

MAIN STREET

This mural, by Andrea Green, is located on the east wall of the Stedman's Store, 7 Main Street East. Thirty-nine true-to-life people, painted from old photographs and Edna B. Chant's books, fills the board sidewalks in front of Centre Block to watch the Orange Day Parade. This mural was completed in 1986.

Step Into The Past

This mural was completed in February, 1997 by Sheila Ballantyne and Sergio Lopes. The mural is located inside The Murals Cafe. The scene depicts the porch of a stone house from the early 1900's. What makes this mural original is the young boy's leg coming out of the wall.