New tobacco heritage mural goes up along U.S. 127 in Monterey

Just in time to welcome NASCAR fans, a new barn mural has been placed on Jobston and Joann Threet’s barn on U.S. Highway 127 South in Monterey. The “Growing Plants and Pulling Plants”  mural is hung as a triptych and features three framed sections.
The first section is “Burning Plant Beds” and shows farmers burning woods, sticks and brush to prepare the bed for planting tobacco seeds. The middle section, “Pulling Tobacco Plants” is 20 feet wide and shows the back breaking task of pulling plants. In the background, you’ll also see a farmer plowing the field preparing it for setting the plants. The third section, “Float Beds” shows the more modern method for growing tobacco plants in the greenhouse. Muralist, Carla Phillips said, “with each mural I enjoy learning about the history of tobacco farming and the hard-working people who raised it as a cash crop.”
In a statement, the members of the Agricultural Heritage Trail Committee said they greatly appreciate the willingness of the Threets to donate the use of their barn for this mural.
Hanging it proved to be a challenge for Jerry Wainscott as he built the frames for each section and attached them to the old barn.
The members would also like to thank Wainscott for his efforts and skill, Owen Electric for donating the use of their bucket truck, and  and employees. Doug Criswell, Cody Beckham and Travis Duvall,  who raised the framed panels and secured them in place. Larry and Sherry Ayres donated the use of their box truck to transport the mural panels from Frankfort to the barn for hanging.
   This is the fourth mural to be completed along the “Tobacco Heritage Trail.” Each mural shows a different phase in the production of tobacco to honor farmers and Owen County’s agricultural heritage. The committee has plans for four more murals along this trail.
The committee would also like to thank the Owen County Historical Society, Owen County Extension Council, Owen County Chamber of Commerce, Owen County Farm Bureau, First Farmers Bank, and Peoples Bank for their donations to paint this mural.
All donations are tax deductible as this project is sponsored by the Owen County Historicial Society’s non-profit designation.
 

Workers from Owen Electric erect the latest agricultural barn mural on a barn owned by Jobston and Joann Threet on U.S. Highway 127 South in Monterey.

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