City of Shelbyville announces America 250 community mural installation at Morrison Park

The City of Shelbyville will unveil the America Connects Nature’s Gift National Mural on June 4 at 11 a.m. on the east-facing wall of the Girls Inc. of Shelbyville and Shelby County building overlooking Morrison Park.

As communities across the country prepare to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, Shelbyville’s mural project reflects the importance of preserving local stories, honoring community spaces, and connecting future generations to the places and people that shaped them.

The mural’s location adjacent to Morrison Park was intentionally chosen because of the park’s deep historical connection to remembrance, public service, and community legacy projects.

Established in 1909 through the vision and advocacy of Laura Morrison, Morrison Park has long served as one of Shelbyville’s most meaningful public spaces. Morrison spent years advocating for public gathering spaces for local families and children and personally helped organize volunteers, fundraising efforts, and park improvements to establish the park for future generations.

During World War I, Morrison also led the Shelby County War Mothers in planting memorial trees throughout the park honoring local soldiers and sailors who died in service to the country. Those living memorials became a lasting symbol of sacrifice, remembrance, and stewardship within the community.

City leaders viewed the mural as a natural continuation of that history.

The mural’s imagery intentionally reflects the pathways, trees, and natural landscape associated with Morrison Park itself. Much like the memorial trees planted more than a century ago, the project centers on the idea that public spaces carry community memory across generations.

The project also creates a new generational connection to Morrison Park through the involvement of local youth.

Members of Girls Inc. of Shelbyville and Shelby County painted 50 individual tiles that will become part of the final mural installation. Many of those students regularly utilize Morrison Park through Girls Inc. programming and summer camps, creating a direct connection between today’s generation and one of Shelbyville’s most historic civic spaces.

“This project is about giving young people the opportunity to leave their mark on a place that already means something to them,” said Jenna Martin, Director of Public Relations for the City of Shelbyville. “A century ago, Laura Morrison helped create a living memorial through trees planted in honor of local service members. Today, local students helped create a new legacy project connected to that same spirit of remembrance, stewardship, and community pride.”

Mayor Scott Furgeson (photo) added, “Morrison Park has always been a place where Shelbyville gathers, reflects, and remembers. This project respects that history while allowing today’s generation to become part of it. Years from now, these students will be able to bring friends and family to Morrison Park and say, ‘I helped create that.’”

The mural project does not alter the historic memorial grove, greenspace, or existing layout of Morrison Park. The installation utilizes the existing exterior wall of the Girls Inc. building and does not impact the park’s memorial trees, trails, or historic landscape.

The project was supported through community partnerships and grant funding, including a $2,500 grant from the Blue River Community Foundation. Additional support was made possible through collaboration between the City of Shelbyville, Girls Inc. of Shelbyville and Shelby County, and the America Connects initiative.

Once completed, the mural will serve as a permanent public art installation visible to park visitors and community members while continuing Morrison Park’s longstanding legacy as a place centered on gathering, reflection, remembrance, and community connection.

The public is invited to attend the unveiling ceremony on June 4 at 11 a.m. at Morrison Park.

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