CVB Gifts New Mural To Downtown Philippi

Driving north through downtown Philippi, drivers can see a new mural gracing the side of the building housing Hank’s Discount and Pawn Shop on Main Street. With permission from the building’s owner, the Philippi Convention & Visitors Bureau had the mural installed by the mural’s maker MPB of Morgantown.

The CVB began work on the mural project over a year ago. At that time, Cary Sponaugle, CVB member and Director of Marketing & Communications at the former Alderson Broaddus University, and Joseph Mitchell, graphic artist, in that department, worked together to design the mural. As that work was progressing, the CVB submitted a grant application to the Barbour County Community Foundation to cover some of the costs of making and installing the mural.

The finished product shows images of Philippi within the letters that spell Philippi. This design is taken from a postcard from years’ past. The word “Philippi” sits over the mountains that surround this historical town and the iconic Philippi Covered Bridge.

“We are so pleased to add another bright spot in downtown Philippi for our residents and visitors to enjoy. We thank all those who worked to bring this project to fruition, Cary and Joey, Cheryl Wolfe who wrote the grant, the BCCF that awarded us the grant, the City of Philippi crews for measuring various possible locations for the mural, and to Morgantown’s MPB for making and installing the finished mural this fall,” says CVB President Karen Larry.

The Philippi Convention & Visitors Bureau’s primary purpose, according to the WV law and the Philippi City Charter under which it operates, is to enhance the economic climate of Philippi by developing and promoting the tourist resources and convention attractions. Working to make the downtown area more visually appealing is part of the work the CVB does to promote tourist resources and convention attractions. Visit the Philippi CVB at visitphilippiwv.com to learn more about this organization.