"Nature's Treasures" by Elizabeth Wallsmith
Created in the summer of 2021 and Located in Scenic Park - Neosho, MO
Neosho Arts Council sponsored the creation of a new mural in Neosho's historic Scenic Park. "Nature's Treasurers" was painted in the summer of 2021 by area artist Elizabeth Wallsmith. It is one mural that wraps completely around two buildings. The mural's installation coincided with the Missouri Bicentennial. It features symbols of both Neosho and the state of Missouri.
Neosho has been known as the "Flower Box City" since the 1950's and was the inspiration for the flowers seen in the mural. The roses were inspired by the rose bushes in Big Spring Park while native cone flowers speak to the prairies of the area. Pink Flowering Dogwood trees are a prominent feature of the mural as they represent both the Missouri State Tree but also Neosho's annual Dogwood Tour. In 1961 the Rotary Club initiated the Neosho Dogwood Tour which has brought thousands of guests to town to enjoy the tree's spring blooms.
Bunches of grapes remind viewers of Herman Jaeger, a Swiss immigrant, who settled 6 miles east of Neosho in 1865. His vineyard and work with native grapes helped save the French wine industry which was devastated by disease in the 1870's.
The Missouri state bird, Easter bluebird; insect, the honey bee; reptile, three-toed box turtle; and amphibian, American bullfrog are all included in the mural. Plus a variety of other insects, birds, and plants all found in our area.
Neosho has been known as the "Flower Box City" since the 1950's and was the inspiration for the flowers seen in the mural. The roses were inspired by the rose bushes in Big Spring Park while native cone flowers speak to the prairies of the area. Pink Flowering Dogwood trees are a prominent feature of the mural as they represent both the Missouri State Tree but also Neosho's annual Dogwood Tour. In 1961 the Rotary Club initiated the Neosho Dogwood Tour which has brought thousands of guests to town to enjoy the tree's spring blooms.
Bunches of grapes remind viewers of Herman Jaeger, a Swiss immigrant, who settled 6 miles east of Neosho in 1865. His vineyard and work with native grapes helped save the French wine industry which was devastated by disease in the 1870's.
The Missouri state bird, Easter bluebird; insect, the honey bee; reptile, three-toed box turtle; and amphibian, American bullfrog are all included in the mural. Plus a variety of other insects, birds, and plants all found in our area.
