Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial Inc. (FVM) will sponsor a walking tour of Homewood’s Richard Haas mural collection from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 31.
The tour will launch from Martin Square at the corner of Martin Avenue and Ridge Road and will conclude at the Homewood Veterans’ Memorial at Harwood Avenue and Olive Road.
The 2 1/2-mile tour will be led by FVM member Kristine Condon, whose 2020 publication, “Richard Haas Murals in Homewood, Illinois,” is an Illinois State Historical Society 2022 Superior Achievement Award recipient.
Participants will stop at each of Haas’s 15 murals, designed in the trompe l’oeil (fool the eye) style, and focus on the details that make the murals come to life.
Participants also will get a quick history lesson on other locations, businesses and stories along the route that are parts of Homewood’s history.
All proceeds will go directly to FVM’s efforts to construct a Veterans’ Wall of Honor in Flossmoor.
“Homewood and Flossmoor have been neighbors, friends, and partners for nearly 100 years,” said retired Flossmoor Mayor Paul Braun, who now serves as FVM president. “This event is a great way to raise community awareness of public art, to support our efforts to return a Veterans’ Wall of Honor to Flossmoor and to get some steps in on a beautiful Sunday morning.”
In September 2021, FVM launched its $100,000 fundraising campaign to build and maintain a memorial to Flossmoor veterans. In partnership with the Village of Flossmoor, FVM proposes to construct the Veterans’ Wall of Honor on a 9,500-square foot parcel north of Flossmoor Road and east of the Metra/CN tracks.
The memorial design was created by Flossmoor architect Michael Matthys. The Wall of Honor will provide a tribute to all current and former Flossmoor residents who are serving or have served our nation’s Armed Forces.
“Since September of last year, we’ve raised over 25% of our Wall of Honor goal,” Braun said. “We’d love to have the Haas Murals Walking Tour push us to a new donation level of $30,000.”
Tour pricing is $25 for adults ($50 for a tour and a copy of the book), $10 for children ages 6-12, and children under 6 free. Registrations are limited to 50 walkers, and a liability waiver will be required.
FVM also will have other items available for a donation on July 31, including limited edition challenge coins and the “Historic Flossmoor Sites” coloring book created by FVM Vice President Dick Condon, a Korean War veteran who moved to Flossmoor in 1932. The book includes hand-drawn copies of 16 historic Flossmoor photographs.
“We’ll keep residents updated on our fundraising goals,” said Braun. “We welcome every donation and very much appreciate the community’s support.”
To register for the mural tour, visit FVM’s website.
Related stories:
- Homewood resident uses pandemic to craft Haas murals book for historical society fundraiser (June 29, 2021)
- Committee resumes work on Flossmoor veterans ‘wall of honor’ following pandemic hiatus
- (Aug. 7, 2021)
- Nonprofit group launches campaign to fund Wall of Honor for Flossmoor veterans
- (Sept. 19. 2021)
- Flossmoor Veterans Memorial group provides support for veterans (Nov. 11, 2021)
- Flossmoor Veterans’ Memorial Inc. creates colorful new way to raise funds, engage youths (June 5, 2022)