(LINCOLN, NE) Nebraska’s First Lady Suzanne Pillen will participate in a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of the installation of the iconic Pershing Mural within Historic Wyuka Park.
The event, open to the public, will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 1st, 2024.
The Pershing Mural, measuring an impressive 140 feet by 38 feet and weighing in at 110 tons, is set to become one of the largest free-standing mosaic murals in the world. Located in Wyuka Park, which was established by the Legislature in 1869 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Mural will serve as a monumental Nebraska landmark and a destination for both citizens and visitors.
“This Mural represents a significant piece of Nebraska’s cultural heritage,” said First Lady Suzanne Pillen. “Its preservation and installation in Wyuka Park will provide an opportunity for people to appreciate the arts, history, and culture of our great state.”
The Mural’s composition features 38 figures and abstract patterns thought to mimic Nebraska’s highways, rivers, and historic trails. Its preservation is the result of a remarkable community effort that began in 2021 when Pershing Auditorium was scheduled for demolition.
In just four months, citizens from Nebraska and beyond rallied to save the mural, successfully removing 763,000 one-inch square mosaic tiles from the auditorium before the city’s deadline.
While significant progress has been made, fundraising efforts continue. The final phase of the project requires an additional $1.9 million to reach its overall $4.1 million goal. These funds will cover the restoration of mosaic tiles, construction of a freestanding wall for the Mural, an adjacent amphitheater, and future maintenance costs.
“We are confident that Nebraskans will continue their generous support of this extraordinary historic preservation effort,” said Pershing Mural Preservation Committee Chair Liz Shea-McCoy. “This mural is not just a piece of art; it’s a testament to our state’s rich history and the power of community collaboration.”
Pershing Mural Groundbreaking at Wyuka Park – Press Release 07-25-24 – Page 2
The public is encouraged to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, observe the progress on the Wyuka Pond and refurbishment project and witness this historic and groundbreaking moment in the Mural’s journey to its new home.
Mission of the Pershing Mural Preservation Committee and its donors:
To honor the history of Nebraskans, to educate future generations about the unique history and topography of Nebraska, and to preserve a magnificent work of art beautifully depicting Nebraska’s diverse cultures.
Online, tax-deductible donations may be made to the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation, https://www.nshsf.org/projects/pershing-mural/
Checks may be mailed to the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation, 1201 Lincoln Mall, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68508 (please note Pershing Mural Project in the memo line
