Self-Sufficient Farm Mural

This mural depicting a self-sufficient farm is one of ten completed in 1939 by Mobile artist John Augustus Walker for the federal Works Progress Administration. The agency commissioned the murals for the Alabama State Fair as a celebration of the state's progress in adopting modern farming techniques.

Courtesy of the Auburn University Libraries Special Collections
Self-Sufficient Farm Mural

Modern Agricultural Innovations Mural

This mural depicting the inventions that were modernizing agricultural production at the time is one of ten completed in 1939 by Mobile artist John Augustus Walker for the federal Works Progress Administration. The agency commissioned the murals for the Alabama State Fair as a celebration of the state's progress in adopting modern farming techniques.

Courtesy of the Auburn University Libraries Special Collections
Modern Agricultural Innovations Mural

Alabama’s Increased Production Mural

This 1939 mural by Mobile artist John Augustus Walker celebrates Alabama's progress in its animal husbandry, animal feed, and timber industries and the industriousness of its citizens, represented by home canning.

Courtesy of the Auburn University Libraries Special Collections
Alabama’s Increased Production Mural

Nineteenth Century Innovations Mural

This 1939 mural by Mobile artist John Augustus Walker focuses on innovations in woodworking and building tools and methods and meat processing and preservation in the nineteenth century in Alabama.

Courtesy of the Auburn University Libraries Special Collections
Nineteenth Century Innovations Mural

John Augustus Walker

Mobile artist John Augustus Walker poses in front of one of the 11 murals he created for the city's Old City Hall (now the History Museum of Mobile). The murals focused on various aspects of Mobile history, with this one highlighting its colonial period.

Courtesy of the History Museum of Mobile
John Augustus Walker

Labor Mural Sketch

This sketch lays out the basic design for the Labor mural that John Augustus Walker created as part of his 11-mural series for Mobile's Old City Hall (now the History Museum of Mobile).

Courtesy of the History Museum of Mobile
Labor Mural Sketch

Industry and Commerce Mural Sketch

This sketch served as the basis for John Augustus Walker's Industry and Commerce mural, which was one of 11 murals he created to commemorate Mobile's history. Notable in the background at right is a large ship, a nod to the city's significance as a shipping port and shipbuilding center.

Courtesy of the History Museum of Mobile
Industry and Commerce Mural Sketch

Agriculture Mural Sketch

This sketch for John Augustus Walker's Agriculture mural depicts a farmer gathering turnips. It is part of his 11-mural series for Mobile's Old City Hall (now the History Museum of Mobile).

Courtesy of the History Museum of Mobile
Agriculture Mural Sketch

Early Mural Sketch

This rudimentary sketch by John Augustus Walker displays his initial thoughts about the composition of a mural on animal husbandry.

Courtesy of the History Museum of Mobile
Early Mural Sketch