700 sq. ft. of history
An exterior public mural with the 400+ year history of Hallowell, Maine, designed and painted by artist Chris Cart, and located on the exterior north wall of 89 Water Street.
The story of Hallowell echoes that of the new nation in its industry, education and culture.
The City is named for Benjamin Hallowell. one four of Boston merchants, the Kennebec Proprietors, who bought large tracts of land in what would become Maine from the Plymouth Colony—who in turn, in 1629, had been granted land originally claimed by the British monarchy.
In 2018, over lunch with a friend in—he had a wall, and I had brushes to paint a mural—the idea of a history mural of the region grew wings. Hallowell is a special little city on our historic Kennebec River. I wanted to capture the spirit of our community and tell its unique story.
artist, Chris Cart
first settlers
The first actual settlers of Hallowell were Deacon Pease Clark, his wife Abigail, and their son Peter with his wife Zeruah and two-year old daughter Pheobe, who all emigrated from Attleborough, Massachusetts in the spring of 1762, stepping ashore the west bank of the Kennebec on May 3rd.
I was particularly impressed that Deacon Pease Clark was 59 when he and his family landed on the shores here to carve out a new home.
artist, Chris Cart
The Clarks came ashore and spent the first night in the wilds about where the Cotton Mills apartments now stand.
about the website
This website is created with generous grant support from the Maine Arts Commission, Vision Hallowell and the City of Hallowell.
The website serves as a resource about the content in the 700 square foot canvas of the Hallowell Mural. The pages within tell of much of the history of the city of Hallowell.
The mural is located on the north exterior wall of 89 Water Street in Hallowell, Maine, which you no doubt already know if you have been through Hallowell–it is hard to miss.
The mural was painted over a 4 year period by artist Chris Cart of Hallowell.
You can buy a print of the mural, a set of greeting cards of the mural, and pre-order your copy of the mural book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the mural?
The north exterior wall of 89 Water Street, Hallowell, Maine, right across from Granite City Park and the Kennebec River Rail Trail, on the north end of town.
When was the mural created?
The mural was painted by Hallowell artist Chris Cart over a 4 and a half year stretch from 2018 when the idea was born to the official unveiling ceremony in the summer of 2023 at which Governor Mills was one keynote speaker.
Where was the mural painted?
The City of Hallowell arranged to have the artist use the second floor of the old Hallowell Fire Station, on the corner of Second Street and Perley’s Lane, as a mural studio for the 4 years of the mural creation. You can read more about the mural process here.
Why is Batman in the mural?
This is exactly why this website exists to help explain the content of the mural. You can read more about Lee Weeks and Batman here. A hint a well known D.C. and Marvel comics artist was born here.