Joplin at the Turn of the Century, 1896 - 1906

Painted by world-renowned American Regionalist artist Thomas Hart Benton, this is his only autobiographical work and one of his finest creations. This mural was the final piece that Benton signed, and it was dedicated to our city in 1973, on Joplin's 100th birthday.

The mural depicts the vices and virtues of the mining boom days in Joplin, and tells the story of what was the world's largest producer of lead in zinc in the world during that time.

An exhibit on the mural's creation, Evolution of a Mural, can be found on the mezzanine floor of City Hall. This exhibit traces the development of Benton's thought process as he designed his final mural. The exhibit includes rough drawings of this monumental work in progress as well as one of Benton’s few remaining maquettes (3-D clay model) known to exist.

Free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 89 am to 5 pm, and on weekends by appointment.