Colorful downtown mural is finished!

By: Carol Meyer

Be sure to stop by to see for yourself the recently-completed historically-themed mural on the side and back of the Hennessy News Building on North Street -- a true work of art and labor of love!

Well-known Hingham artist Susan Kilmartin designed the mural, and she and and talented art students from Hingham High School and the South Shore Charter School in Norwell -- with guidance from their art teachers -- brought the project to reality.

 Special thanks goes to  Hennessy News owner Joe Ierardi for his willingness to allow the artists to paint the historic scenes on the building.

The mural depicts colonial life circa 1840 on Hersey Farm in Hingham. The toy and box factory -- which had been locked up and hidden by vines and vegetation -- was recently uncovered and found to be completely intact by members of the Hersey family (still in residence on the farm). The toys and tools inside were also intact after 100 years.

The cost of the paint and other supplies the students used throughout the project was covered by Greenbush Historic Preservation Trust grants. The purpose of this fund is to preserve and maintain historic assets and streetscapes along the Greenbush commuter rail right-of way and the surrounding area to enhance downtown Hingham. (The back of Hennessy's News abuts the tunnel cap.) "I'm very grateful for this grant," said Kilmartin, who donated her time to the project.

Have you seen the mural yet?  What do you think it adds to downtown Hingham?

​

---