- City:
- Hamilton, MT
- Site Type:
- Art Works, Murals
- New Deal Agencies:
- Arts Programs, Treasury Section of Fine Arts (TSFA)
- Completed:
- 1942
- Artist:
- Henry Meloy
- Quality of Information:
- Very Good
- Marked:
- Yes
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
The historic post office building in Hamilton, Montana houses an oil-on-canvas mural entitled “Flat Head War Party” by artist Henry Meloy. It is one of only six New Deal murals in Montana post offices.
The federal Treasury Department Section of Fine Arts funded the work, which was installed in 1942.
The subject matter of the Meloy mural is a bit unusual: the formation of a “war party” of Shoshone preparing to go fight Blackfeet intruders. It depicts the natives as strong, fighting men, but why the White observer? The information sheet by the mural explains that such internecine warfare among tribes was common, but doesn’t help by saying that the Blackfeet must have been horse thieves.
It is difficult to access the mural today because the entrance to the building has been moved to the other side. One needs to ask permission to enter through the old front door.
Source notes
https://www.wpamurals.org/montana.htm
Site originally submitted by Evan Kalish on March 20, 2012.
Additional contributions by Richard Walker.
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