Bricked-over War of 1812 mural may be recreated in Sandwich
A War of 1812 mural bricked over in Sandwich earlier this week may be recreated in the west-end neighbourhood — possibly on a new branch of the Windsor Public Library.
As CBC was first to report, the mural depicting the Surrender of Detroit is being covered on the east end of the strip mall behind the old Sandwich post office, at the intersection of Mill and Sandwich streets.
Taxpayers are footing the bill. City council approved contributing nearly $34,000 to the project once it's complete. The decision was made late last year.
The Olde Sandwich Towne BIA knew the mural was going to be covered and, in order to one day recreate it on another building, took photos before it was covered.
"There's a number of new renovations taking place in Sandwich Towne, so as they unfold, we'll see what opportunities present themselves and where will be the best location to redo that mural that's been lost," said David Grimaldi, head of the Olde Sandwich Towne BIA. "It's still very early on. The post office is being redone; the fire hall is being redone, into a library."
Windsor Public Library CEO Kitty Pope has asked to attend the BIA meeting scheduled for Tuesday, according to Grimaldi.
"We'll have a better idea of what the time frame is we're looking at and what kind of potential we have to display things such as this mural either on the building or the property," Grimaldi said.
Wherever the mural reappears, it won't be painted directly onto a wall.
"We would never paint it back directly on a wall. That was a mistake in my opinion," Grimaldi said.
Melica Yaksich painted the mural — and several others in Sandwich — and continues to maintain them to this day.
Grimaldi said the BIA has spoken with Yaksich and she's interested in working with the BIA again.
