Mural replacement set after fire

VINCENNES, IND. (WTHI) - A southern Indiana community plans a major fund raising event to re-create an important piece of art lost in a major fire.

For years people heading into downtown Vincennes saw a large mural that celebrated the community's history, but it was destroyed in a massive fire.

Now, several elements within the community have joined forces and announced an event to bring a replacement mural to the area.

When a massive fire destroyed the historic Gimbel Building in 2011 Vincennes lost something else special.

The blaze led to the destruction of a mural about the community that had been in place for more than 30 years.

While folks in Vincennes can't recreate the Gimbel Building they do want to bring back the other piece of history.

"It was part of the landscape," said Mural Committee Member Angie Lucas.  "Part of your heritage.  I don't know.  There's just a void there.  The mural, you see it.  It was like a friend you saw everyday, you take for granted until it's not there."

Randy Heddon, who did the original painting, is working on a new design.

Helen Seirp says a wide number of groups are working on a plan to raise $40,000 to cover the cost.

"We're going to have an event on March 16, a St. Patrick's Day event," said Seirp.  "We're going to have a dinner and dance at the Highland Center out on Hart Street."

There's been an effort underway in the community for almost a year to put together the funding for the replacement of the old mural and the hope is that with this one single big event all of the money can raised and the project scheduled.

"It's just a nice way that every individual can come, have a good time, have a good meal and make sure that we put this piece of history back in Vincennes," said Seirp.

A project that will provide another bit of healing and recovery from the scars left behind by a major fire.

Tickets and information are available at several locations in Vincennes including city hall, the chamber of commerce and convention and visitor's bureau.