As the nation starts its 250th anniversary celebration, the fate of Ted Kunda’s bicentennial mural in King of Prussia remains uncertain, writes J.F. Pirro for the Main Line Today.
The massive mural, depicting George Washington and his soldiers at Valley Forge, painted by Kunda’s father in the 1970s was the largest outdoor mural in the world then at 20 feet high and 80 feet wide.
“My father was proud of his own military service and his country – a patriot inspired by the proximity of Valley Forge,” said Kunda.
Since then, the mural has been altered twice and restored once, and remains on display at the Colonial Electric Supply building at Henderson and Church roads. Sadly, it is disintegrating.
“It’s pretty much destroyed,” said Kunda.
Artistic and structural restoration of it is necessary, but very expensive. Another solution could be a vinyl replica or traveling projected image, though neither option is ideal.
“We’ve unfortunately not had much success in finding an artist to restore it,” said Amanda Lafty, Upper Merion Township’s assistant manager. “While a restoration would be amazing, we’re unsure of the feasibility, and the Philadelphia-based mural group has been unresponsive.”
Read more about the Valley Forge mural in the Main Line Today.
