Neosho Arts Council entered the second stage of its efforts to preserve not only a work of art but a piece of American military history. The Lost Camp Crowder Mural, which was created by an unknown soldier stationed at Camp Crowder during World War II, was transferred to Crowder College where preservation work will take place. The sounds of live-fire from weapons rang through the air this past weekend as members of the Missouri National Guard took part in marksmanship training at Camp Crowder, providing a soundtrack as the work of art returned home after more than 80 years.

“As our team worked to unload the mural we could see and hear soldiers training on some of the same ground they did when this mural was created. It was a full circle moment,” said Sarah Serio, president of the Neosho Arts Council. “Our team all agreed that the familiar sounds of weapons fire welcomed this mural home.” Crowder College’s main campus is located adjacent to the National Guard camp and on what was the main cantonment for Camp Crowder during World War II.

Almost a year and a half ago the arts council discovered a mural designed and painted by an unknown soldier who was passing through the camp for training before the end of World War II. Portions of the mural have been painted while others remain only in their early stages of a detailed sketch creating a unique look at the process of mural creation during that era.

Historical records and photos from the camp have helped the arts council account for over a dozen murals which were painted by soldiers at Camp Crowder during the war, including a large scale piece in the main chapel. There is no evidence that any of the other works remain in existence.

With the end of the war in 1945, activities at Camp Crowder began to wind down. Many of the original wooden structures that served as barracks, day rooms, chapels, and more were sold at surplus auctions. The buildings were moved and some converted for new use while others were dismantled for parts. One such building, which housed this mural, was sold to a local family who moved the building to their small farm just outside of Neosho. Despite the structure being used for agricultural work the mural remained.

Last year a team of volunteers, led by local contractor John Clear, worked to carefully remove each panel of wall board that the mural is painted on. Thanks to the construction process of these military structures it was possible for the mural to be removed. At that time the pieces of wall board were carefully packed in a custom wood crate for storage.

“Preserving things like this mural brings those old stories to life and helps us reconnect,” said Matt Ruth, Vice President of the Newton County Historical Society.

Once again Clear returned to oversee the process of moving the mural and unpacking from its crate once it arrived at Crowder College. Volunteers from the Newton County Historical Society and Neosho Arts Council assisted in the process.

“Having worked on several preservation projects the last few years, this one was particularly exciting because of its age and origin,” Ruth said. “It’s incredible that it still exists and still in relatively good shape considering the environment it was in for so many years.”

The Neosho Arts Council worked with specialists at Van Witt Art Preservation to create a plan for this stage of the preservation process. The mural will be allowed time to acclimate to the temperature and humidity at the college which will help reduce potential damage like cracking and warping. Next new structural supports will be created and the mural will be rehung on those supports.

“The preservation specialist has been working with our group and John Clear so we have a cohesive plan which will allow us to do our very best to save this mural,” Serio said. Clear has experience working in historic building preservation allowing a local business to complete some of the work. He’ll be responsible for designing the new structural supports and rehanging the mural while following guidelines from the preservationists.

Once the mural is back on a wall then the art preservation team will travel to Neosho and begin the meticulous process of cleaning the work,

making minor repairs, coating it with a preservation treatment and preparing it for public view.

Currently the mural is not available for public viewing but the council plans to give regular updates on the work via their Facebook and Instagram accounts.

“We will never find a piece of World War II mural art like this again,” Serio said. “Before this work is lost we want to save it and we need support from the community to accomplish this goal.”

The arts council has a goal of raising $25,000 for this project and currently has half of the funds needed.

“Funds were raised to get the project to this stage but now it’s time to finish out our goal so we will be able to complete the preservation work,” Serio said.

Donations can be made online at neoshoarts.net or by mailing a check to Neosho Arts Council, PO Box 605, Neosho, MO 64850. Additional information about the mural and Camp Crowder can be found on the group’s website.

Neosho Arts Council’s decision to save this piece of local history had a ripple effect across the community. Two other major projects related to Camp Crowder are now in the works.

“It’s exciting to see this work of art inspire other groups in our town to help preserve Camp Crowder history,” Serio said. “While each of these projects is being headed up by various organizations we are in communication and are supporting each other’s efforts.”

A traveling museum exhibit on the history of the camp and its impact on the area will soon be presented through the Newton County Historical Society while a documentary is being created by the Newton County Tourism Council.

“I have a feeling lots of young kids will see a side of Neosho they never knew existed,” Ruth said.