This oil on canvas mural was installed on the north wall of the Franklin Elementary library, which was originally the cafeteria. Approved by the Eveleth School Board in 1937, it may be the only remaining mural of its kind in Minnesota. As of March 2024, it has been removed from the wall by Zim artist Gareth Andrews, who will help preserve and possibly repair the mural.

The Eveleth Heritage Society is seeking funds for our Save the Mural project, which aims to preserve and eventually display this mural from Benjamin Franklin Elementary. The mural was painted in 1937 or '38 in the school cafeteria, which was later remodeled into the media center. It was sponsored by the Federal Art Project, part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and is one of the few WPA murals that did not depict American industry, history, or agriculture.

With the Eveleth school campus slated for demolition after viable redevelopment plans did not emerge, we are working with local artist Gareth Andrews and the Eveleth Community Foundation to protect the mural's future. It has been safely removed from the wall, and we are exploring options for a permanent home for this unique and treasured artwork.

Your donations will be used for the cost of removal and restoration of an iconic piece of Eveleth history.
Contributions can be mailed to:
PO Box 333, Eveleth, MN 55734

Online donation options are not currently available.

Read more about the Franklin School and the mural here.