New mural painted outside a home in the Museum Hill Historic District
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The historic homes built long ago and now preserved in the Museum Hill neighborhood have a new eye-catching piece.
Homeowner Karen Hauser wanted a mural painted on the side of her garage that pays homage to the historic district.
"We struggled to find the right mix," Hauser said. "My daughter said, 'Well he is putting it on the carriage house,' my garage was a carriage house in the day, so we said, why not a horse and carriage."
That horse on a carriage was placed on a cobblestone road and complemented with vibrant colors to draw the eyes of people passing by. Artist Devin Halbirt added Hawthorn flowers (the Missouri flower) to the ends of the mural as well.
"With the cobblestone road, giving that old timey feel, vintage feel..." Halbirt said. "I'm a visionary, so I really have to look at everything first and think about it in my mind and then it'll come down on paper. It was step by step and then it came together."
He said it took about a month to finish. Hauser moved to St. Joseph and into the house in 1994. She has a bachelor's degree in art and an appreciation for the arts and the beauty of historic homes.
"I love the murals Downtown, I think they're such an asset," Hauser said. "It's good for the economy, it's something that brings people to town and it beautifies the community."
She finds the Museum Hill Historic District to be a great spot in town because of its historic nature. St. Joseph Museums complex social media/tour guide Jerrad Hardin said the architecture is described as Victorian, but there's much more to it.
"Some Islamic, Moorish influences, there's just all kinds of interesting tidbits and of course an incredible example of what can be done with architecture," Hardin said. "When people walk into the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion, they always remark, 'Wow I can't believe people do this."
The Museum Hill walking tour consists of 34 historic homes and now at stop 22, the Vineyard-Kirby House, built in 1881, will have new art in front of the home.
"Hopefully it will inspire more people to buy up some of these homes that need a little TLC and some renovations," Hauser said. "It's quite an asset to this town and it's lovely to live in."
