Who Painted the Portsmouth Flood Wall Murals?

In 2007, the city of Portsmouth, Ohio, commissioned eight murals to depict the town’s flood history. They tell the story of how the city’s river level rose to flood the area, as well as the history of the Portsmouth area and its residents. In addition to illustrating the rise of the Scioto River, the murals feature Native American heritage. The history of Alexandria, the town that sat on the site of the present-day Portland, is also depicted. The early development of Portsmouth is shown in the city’s murals, which portray the town’s development. The first one shows the town’s incorporation by Henry Massie, who was the official founder of Portsmouth. The second panel shows the beginning of the Boneyfiddle shopping district, which is now a tourist attraction.

The floodwall was initially an empty canvas until Dr. Louis R. Chaboudy and other locals visited Portsmouth and fell in love with its beautiful murals. Luckily, she knew of an artist who would be able to create stunning works of art. In 1993, Portsmouth contracted with Robert Dafford, a famous international muralist, to paint the murals. The project was a great success, as Dafford worked with a local artist named Herb Roe. Together, they completed sixty 20-foot-high murals that depict the history of Portsmouth.

The project was a major success for Portsmouth, Ohio. The walls, which span 610 feet, were created by a group of volunteers who raised funds and executed the murals. The group was led by Dr. Louis R. Chaboudy and included an international muralist, Robert Dafford. The two collaborated for 15 years to create the paintings. The end result was sixty beautiful, life-size murals that highlight the city’s rich history and surrounding areas.