Vigo County History Center Announces Effort to Preserve Beloved Mural

Terre Haute, Ind. - The Vigo County History Center is working to preserve an iconic landmark - and they’re asking for the community’s help. 

On Friday, November 17 the History Center announced the “Brick by Brick” capital campaign, an effort to raise funds to repair and repaint the east facade of the building, including the beloved Coca-Cola Contour Bottle mural.

Deteriorating mortar joints and numerous voids have allowed water to infiltrate the interior east wall of the former Ehrmann Manufacturing building. Damage is apparent on all three upper floors and the building’s basement. It is critical to replace and repair all joints in the wall to seal and stop water from further damaging the building. After the masonry repair work is complete, the “Birthplace of the Coca-Cola Contour Bottle” mural will require repainting.

“There were already plans to do some touch-ups on the mural and that was before we discovered all of the issues,” explains History Center Executive Director Marla Flowers. “The wall requires water blasting to remove the peeling paint and then the masonry crew will cut out  all masonry joints and tuckpoint with new mortar. There are 42,000 bricks on this wall therefore, this is a monumental task that must be done to protect and preserve the building.”

The entire repair and repainting project is estimated to cost $300,000 therefore, the History Center needs the community’s support to reach the fundraising goal.

The Brick by Brick campaign encourages community members and businesses to purchase a “virtual brick” for just $5. Donations of any size can be made in person at the History Center (929 Wabash Ave.) online (www.vchsmuseum.org/brickbybrick), by mail or by texting “brickbybrick” to 44-321. 

“It’s a way for everybody to get involved,” Flowers says. “With the cost at $5 you can come in and purchase one brick or up to 10,000 bricks and that way everyone can help and contribute to this legacy.”