Mural shows off Springfield saga

[Elaine Bell]

William Pynchon ancestor of Thomas?

On 12/14/08, Dave Monroe <against.the.dave at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Mural shows off Springfield saga
> Saturday, December 13, 2008
> By PETER GOONAN
> pgoonan at repub.com
>
>
> SPRINGFIELD - Visitors to City Hall, ranging from tours of
> schoolchildren to taxpayers, can now catch a snapshot of Springfield's
> history by way of a ceiling mural which was unveiled on Friday.
>
> Representatives of the city and the Springfield Museums Association,
> and artist Ronnie R. Deziel, gathered at City Hall for the unveiling.
> It climaxed a year-long $75,000 project that included repairs to
> water-damaged ceilings in the building and the mural that hovers over
> the main spiral staircase.
>
> The mural traces the city's history, from the Indians and early
> settlers to the modern cityscape, and includes the architecture,
> inventions, and products that have carried the Springfield name around
> the nation and beyond. The Connecticut River and downtown skyline are
> prominent.
> "The mural will not only serve as a daily reminder to City Hall
> visitors of all the amazing things Springfield has accomplished, but
> will also serve as a teaching tool for students learning more about
> their community," said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. "Springfield has a rich
> history, and this mural is a celebration of that history."
>
> The mosaic includes artistic references to Springfield's history, with
> a bank of fog separating the old and new.
>
> It features depictions of such historical figures as Springfield
> founder William Pynchon, Everett Barney, Milton Bradley, and Primus
> Mason, and such architecture as the Municipal Group (City Hall,
> Symphony Hall, and the Venetian-style Campanile); the old City Hall
> that burned in 1905, and Tower Square.
>
> There are also references to many institutions and home-grown figures,
> including Dr. Seuss of "Cat in the Hat" fame; the Breck Girl; Smith &
> Wesson, Indian Motocycle, and a rolled-up copy of The Republican.
>
> Deziel, of North Smithfield, R.I., said it was a challenging project,
> "but in a fun way." He said he worked with local officials - with help
> from the Springfield Museums Association - to paint the mural on
> canvas that was then glued to the ceiling.
>
> The ceiling repairs and the mural cost between $30,000 and $35,000 out
> of the total $75,000, city-funded project. There were also repairs to
> water-damaged ceilings in the City Council chambers, the School
> Committee auditorium, and the mayoral office.
>
> Rita L. Coppola Wallace, the city's director of capital asset
> construction, said she had dreamed of a ceiling mural in City Hall
> since starting work for the city.
>
> "It took me 25 years, but we did it," she said. "It's a really happy
> day. It really tells the story if you spend the time. The story is
> Springfield."
>
> On the third floor, just below the mural, framed pictures will be
> displayed showing elements from the mural, said Coppola Wallace.
>
> Deziel said the mural fosters pride and "sets the tone" for children
> growing up in the city.
>
>
> http://www.masslive.com/metrowest/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-17/1229156433205570.xml&coll=1
>



-- 
Elaine M.M. Bell, Writer
585.218.9583
Have Laptop/Will Travel
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