WILSON — Two new murals depicting Wilson history were dedicated Saturday afternoon at Wilson’s Midland Railroad Hotel Barn.
The murals on the south exterior wall of the Barn were painted by artist Andrew “Ace” Walker of Prague, Okla., owner of Ace Walker Art. They depict Czech immigrants arriving at the Wilson train station. The murals also nod to the history of the horse racing track which was near the Midland Railroad Hotel at the turn of the century.   
“It is an amazing addition to Wilson, as we further acknowledge the history of the town,” Owner of the Midland Railroad Hotel Melinda Merrill said. “When you have something like this, not only documenting the history of the town itself but also the Czech heritage, I think it’s a great addition to the tourism and the cultural identity of Wilson.”
The Wilson Tourism Hub, Inc., in collaboration with the Kansas Czechs, Inc., hosted the unveiling of murals.
The WTH was one of two entities in Ellsworth County (the other being Ellsworth County Economic Development) awarded a $10,000 grant from the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity. Each of the projects required a 50 percent match from the community.   
“These are beautiful pieces of artwork that are going to help the economic development of your community,” Sara Bloom of the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity said. “Murals are not only beautiful, but they tell the history of your community, and Wilson has so much history to share with the people of our state, of our country and now, these are just a small piece of that history.”  
“In my 19 years as consul to the Czech Republic for Kansas and Missouri, I’ve participated regularly in Czech-related events, including the annual Wilson After Harvest Festival,” Honorary Consul to the Czech Republic Sharon Valasek said. “Of all the towns and cities I’ve visited that have Czechoslovak origins, Wilson stands out above others. Though less than 1,000 residents, individuals in Wilson and the surrounding area possess a strong love of the Czechoslovak heritage.”
Valasek said with Wilson, that means ideas get translated into action.
As examples, she mentioned the Wilson folk art painted on local business windows, the World’s Largest Czech Egg, seven smaller Czech eggs located around the community and the Barn murals.  
“These murals are just another great addition to our community,” Wilson Mayor Mike Peschka said. “Considering the Czech culture, I believe the location of the murals is extremely fitting — on the side of a barn — because I can visualize, and probably you all can too, immigrants gathering together in a barn with their neighbors, friends and families to eat, to dance and celebrate and also, if they were good Czechs, probably to imbibe just a little bit.”
“It’s been a fun series of events getting to research what needed to be on the mural, how to compose it,” Walker said. “This community has been great. This was a great project and I’m proud to work with you guys. Hopefully, we get to work together soon.”