About The Oldest Mural In America
The four murals are considered the earliest known wall murals in the country
A mural is a large-scale artwork painted or applied directly onto a wall, ceiling, or other sizable permanent surface. The oldest mural in America still in its original location is located in the main stairwell of the Warner House in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
The murals are described as the earliest extant British-American wall paintings in America by the Warner House Museum. Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce recognizes the murals as the oldest extant Anglo-American murals. The Portsmouth Historical Society defines the murals as the earliest known wall murals in the country.
The four murals in the hall and stair landing are unusual. The life-sized Indian flanking and arched window at the landing have always been exposed to view but the other oldest four paintings were uncovered about 1850 under the layers of wallpaper. The mural was carefully restored in 1988. Today the murals are the Nation’s oldest colonial wall paintings still in their original place.
When entering the main hall, the murals are one of the most uniquely impressive and dramatic features of the Warner House. Painted c.1718, the four murals are considered the earliest extant British-American wall paintings in America, making the Warner House a truly one-of-a-kind visit.
The murals in the Warner House have been carefully preserved and restored over the years to ensure their longevity and beauty. Conservation efforts have included cleaning, stabilizing, and repairing the paintings to maintain their original appearance and integrity.
They depict scenes from the life of Sir Thomas Warner, an English explorer who founded the first British colony in the West Indies. They were first restored in the 1950s and are now on display to the public. They were painted in 1718 by John Smibert, a Scottish portrait painter who was living in Boston at the time.
The four murals are described as follows:
The Landing of Sir Thomas Warner in the West Indies: This mural depicts Warner's arrival in the West Indies in 1625.
The Indian Council: This mural depicts Warner meeting with a group of local Native Americans.
The Building of a Fort: This mural depicts the construction of a fort by Warner's men.
The Arrival of the English Supply Ship: This mural depicts the arrival of a supply ship from England to the colony.