Center for Civic Arts

The Center for Civic Arts will use funds to support the preservation and conservation of two Civil War GAR veteran flags and one pendant, as well as a Workers Progress Administration mural, titled "The Kingdom of Smoke". These historical artifacts are core to Wilkinsburg borough's history and were owned by Major William Lowry of the 62 Infantry. The Wilkinsburg Borough owns these historical treasures but lack administrative capacity to care for the artifacts. The GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) was a national veterans association for men who served in the Union Army during the Civil War in the 1860's. The Wilkinsburg GAR Post #548 was organized in 1887, the same year the Borough incorporated. The 1940 WPA “Kingdom Of Smoke” mural was painted by Wilkinsburg artist (Dutch) Harold Carpenter. The project will be matched with $25,000 in non-federal share.