Call to Artists: Westerville’s Agricultural Legacy in Focus. One of Twelve Murals Planned For Semi-Quincentennial.
Editor’s Note: This is the first of a series of articles about America 250 murals planned for Westerville’s semi-quincentennial celebration. Future articles will detail the other murals.
Call to Artists - Farming and Manufacturing
The City of Westerville is accepting artist submissions for a series of murals, including one celebrating the city’s farming and manufacturing heritage as part of the America 250 Westerville History Mural Project, honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026.
Twelve murals are planned for America 250, with nine from artists selected by the city, and three more from local artists.
The Agriculture mural will depict the early settlers and industries that helped shape Westerville’s rise from farmland to a thriving community. Artists are encouraged to reflect on several subjects drawn from local history.
The Westerville Creamery, established in 1900 on East College Avenue, processed cream and skim milk before turning to condensed milk in 1907. During World War II, it supplied milk for American troops and became one of the nation’s largest family-owned producers before closing in 1987.
Bennett Manufacturing, founded in 1883, began with the invention of the stump puller and later produced farm implements, including tile ditchers, windmills, and corn harvesters. By 1890, it occupied a large brick building on Home Street and later became known for making wooden pallets and shipping materials before closing in 1972.
Hance Manufacturing, a local company that diversified into toys, vending machines, and Go-Cycles, first gained recognition for its seed and grain cleaning machinery.
The Westerville Farmers’ Exchange, located at 143 E. Lincoln Street, operated for more than sixty years beginning in 1920, serving as the regional hub for feed, seed, fertilizer, and grain processing.
Historic records describe the city’s rural past: “Shrock Road from Westerville to Worthington was lined with dairy farms… College Avenue all the way out was farmland, as were Walnut Street and County Line Road”.
The completed mural will be installed at the Westerville Electric Division site, one of 9 large-scale works highlighting key chapters of the city’s past.
Artists can access all information (reference materials, photos, and submission guidelines) through the RFP at https://www.visitwesterville.org/250-2/.
Submissions are open through December 1, 2025, and selected artists will receive a $1,000 commission for their design.
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