Presented by Downtown Chillicothe

MAIL POUCH MURAL

Machinery Hall – Est. 1881

Machinery Hall was constructed in 1881 as a center for the sale of farming equipment that supported the growth of this region.

Between 1891 and 1893, the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company of Wheeling, West Virginia, painted this Mail Pouch mural on the building’s east wall. More than 20,000 Mail Pouch murals were painted across 22 states. These advertisements became enduring symbols of Appalachian culture, reflecting the region’s agricultural roots, hard work, and rural pride.

Historic elements of the mural include the name “A. Maurer” and what is believed to be the mark of the original painter: “The A.L. Olds Co. N.Y.”

In 1893, a neighboring structure was built adjacent to Machinery Hall, concealing the mural from public view. It remained hidden for 114 years until a 2006 fire revealed this remarkable piece of history once again.

This mural is believed to be among the earliest surviving Mail Pouch murals in the United States.

Today, the mural stands as a connection between past and present — a reminder of the history embedded in this place and the cultural heritage of Appalachia.

This mural was restored in 2026 by artist Scott Hagan, “The Barn Artist,” with the addition of architectural lighting to preserve and showcase it for future generations.

“Preserving our history matters — because it tells the story of who we are.”

The Mail Pouch Mural Restoration Project is funded in part by the Ohio History Fund, a grant program of the Ohio History Connection. Your donations to the Ohio History Fund make this program possible. http://www.ohiohistory.org/historyfund

The Mail Pouch Mural Restoration Project is made possible in part by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.

Additional funding and support for this project was made possible through the generous contributions of:

Robert E. & Genevieve G. Schaefer Fund Dave Daughters Memorial Fund Herrnstein Family Fund

Mail Pouch Barnstormers Chillicothe-Ross Convention & Visitors Bureau

The History Store

The Pour House at Machinery Hall