Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on Richland Source in 2015.
MANSFIELD — The former Mansfield Municipal Building, located at the corner of Second & Walnut Streets, was about 20 years old when the upper floor was remodeled to accommodate larger courtrooms.
At that time the city commissioned local artist HR McBride to paint a mural over the bench in Judge Lutz’s courtroom.
Wisely, McBride painted his historic scene on canvas, rather than directly on the wall, in case the plastered surface should ever be remodeled again or damaged in some way.
He was concerned about possible water damage if the roof should leak, and he probably didn’t envision a time 27 years later when the building was replaced and razed.
Fortunately for us, McBride’s foresight made it possible for his painting of 19th century local court proceedings to be relocated into the present Municipal Building in 1975, where it ennobles the hallway outside 21st century courtrooms.
1948 image from the archives of Heart of Ohio Council, Boy Scouts of America.
