Valley Hospital Bringing Alexander's Mural 'Back Home' To Paramus

PARAMUS, NJ — A familiar work of art is returning home to Paramus thanks in no small part to the Valley Hospital.

Hospital officials announced that the iconic Alexander's mural will be brought back to Paramus after 30 years outside the community. The murals were originally installed on the Alexander's department store building in 1964.

The 200-foot mural, created by Polish artist Stefan Knapp, a WWII prison camp survivor, was saved when Alexander's closed in 1992, and has been put on display recently at the Art Factory, in Paterson. The Bergen Museum of Art & Science has served as a "steward of the mural."

That stewardship has led to Paramus getting to reclaim roughly 50 of the 280 panels that make up the mural, which will be displayed on the new Valley Hospital campus, set to open in December 2023 in Paramus.

According to Robin Goldfischer, senior vice president of legal services, who spearheaded the acquisition of the mural, the panels will be displayed both inside and outside the hospital.

"There is a tremendous amount of interest in these panels," Goldfischer said. "They are spectacular works of art."

In addition to highlighting the quality of the work, local officials have remarked on the sentimental value of the panels being returned home.

"Paramus is proud to be the future home of The Valley Hospital and the inclusion of the panels in its design is yet another example of the positive impact Valley his having in our community," said Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera.

"Thank you to Valley for listening to our residents, paying tribute to our community's history, and bringing the mural back home."

Here's a sneak peek at what some panels could look like placed on the grounds of the new hospital:

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