-From the June 22, 1981 dedication program (view below):
In 1979, the Wheeling Municipal Auditorium Board embarked on a project to recognize historical events which occurred in the immediate vicinity of the civic center depicting such events in a colorful and dramatic fashion upon large murals to be painted on interior walls at the four corners of the building. To manage and direct the historical mural project, the Municipal Auditorium Board appointed a special committee of dedicated local persons qualified in art and local history.
The committee determined the subject matter of the murals and selected the artists on the basis of personal interviews and preliminary sketches submitted after its review of the initial applications submitted by almost 30 artists. Funding for the payments to the artists was obtained by matching grants from the Council of the City of Wheeling and the West Virginia Department of Culture and History acting by and through its Arts and Humanities Commission. Additional costs of wall preparation, materials, equipment rental and other incidental expenses were paid from additional funds provided by the City Council and the Municipal Auditorium Board. These city and state agencies cooperated and enthusiastically supported the effort to promote public awareness of the significant historical events depicted upon the murals and to advance the program of displaying art in public places.
The special committee tasked with managing and directing the mural project consisted of Margaret Brennan, Beverly Fluty, Dr. Bruno Hartung, John A. Hazlett, Steve Vasiliou, Wes Wagner, Clark Morton. West Virginia Governor John D. Rockfeller was present at the June 22, 1981 ceremony to formally dedicate the murals.
The fourth mural, "Collage of Transportation," was painted by artist Ellen Elmes and depicts historic sites, roads, railroads, bridges, the Ohio River, and industries in Wheeling.
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