A note from the Washington County Historical Society.
The Stillwater American Legion Post 48 will be holding an open house to show off some very special, and rare military art work.
The Legion, in co-operation with the Washington County Historical Society, have unearthed and taken down nearly a dozen murals painted by renowned Minnesota artist Jo Lutz Rollins that depict scenes in World War One, World War Two and Korea.
Established in Stillwater in 1920, the American Legion Post 48 first met in the Stillwater Armory. In 1944 they purchased the old Belisle Mortuary building on the corner of Third and Chestnut Streets and renovated the building into the meeting hall. In 1946, the members of the Legion commissioned local artist Jo Lutz Rollins to paint a series of panels depicting various aspects of World War Two. Following the Korean War, in 1954, again Rollins was asked by the members to paint three more murals of scenes depicting aspects of the war.
Over the years the several of the murals have been taken down and stored, while others were hidden behind shelving and other large items. Now the American Legion Post 48 has “rediscovered” the murals and will be showing them off at an open house on Saturday October 22nd and Sunday October 23rd from 10am to 4pm. The American Legion Post 48 is located at 103 South Third Street in Stillwater.
Along with the open house, local historians will be on hand to discuss the artwork and the involvement of Stillwater citizens in the American Civil War. On Saturday, Anita Buck will be on hand to discuss Jo Rollins and the Stillwater Art Colony from Noon to 2pm. Buck’s book on the Art Colony will be available for purchase. On Sunday, Robert Goodman and Peter DeCarlo will be there from noon to 2pm to discuss the involvement of local citizens in the Civil War. Their book, In Their Own Words, will also be available for purchase.
For more information about the open house contact the Washington County Historical Society at 651-439-5956 or the Stillwater American Legion Post 48 at 651-439-1435.
