Blog: The Berwyn, PA Mural – It’s History and Symbolism

It's one of the most all-American works of art you'll see in TE or anywhere on the Upper Main Line, Local Voices Blogger Jackey Pressley has the story behind The Berwyn Mural.

In the Village of Berwyn, PA at the intersection of Lancaster and Waterloo Avenues stands a wall of art that depicts a community. The name of this creation is called The Berwyn Mural, which has been in existence on the side of a Barbershop since 2005.  

While driving by this vibrant painting’s combination of hues of red, white and blue a person may wonder how this project got started.  After researching various sources the answers came quickly. 

The Berwyn Mural was established due to an effort of a local business in Berwyn, Eadeh Enterprises whose motto is, "Building Tomorrow's History.”

Check out this link to see an introduction to the participants in this mural. 

http://www.eadeh.com/mural.htm

According to the Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society Journalist, C. Herbert Fry had discussed the design of this mural back in 2005, Mr. Fry stated, “Berwyn residents watched this summer as a 20-foot-high by 50-foot-wide mural took shape on the west side of the building housing John Thomas' Barbershop at Lancaster and Waterloo Avenues. The scene depicts a Victorian patriotic parade at the turn of the century, with a procession of folks and flying flags on the Fourth of July.

Main Line developer Ernest Eadeh commissioned the mural which is painted on the side of the building, which he owns.”

http://www.tehistory.org/hqda/pdf/v42/Volume42_N4_116.pdf

In the development of this design, Eadeh who lived in one of the nearby communities had a picture of Berwyn back around 1900 and wanted the design to depict this type of setting.

Karl Yoder, who became the artist for this mural said, “Ernest Eadeh arranged a meeting with me to discuss the project.  He wanted a mural depicting Berwyn's historical character and patriotic spirit.”  Mr. Yoder suggested the idea of all of the citizens marching in a patriotic parade past a few of Berwyn’s famous landmarks.  Mr. Yoder also stated that, “ he always work from photos.” Mr. Yoder is inspired to paint murals in communities because, “As a painter, I admire the technique and effort that went into the mural.  And as an artist he enjoys “surprising people with a portrait's accuracy.”

The mural is titled, “Berwyn: A Historic Crossroad, Now and Then.”

Mr. Yoder, had years of experience in painting murals, he stated, “I painted murals from 1991-2005.”  A graduate of Pratt Institute in Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, this young artist had created 9 murals before the design of The Berwyn Mural.  His works are located throughout the Philadelphia area and Haverford. 

Here is a link to all of Mr. Yoder’s work.

http://www.karlyoder.com/murals.html

With the help of Mr. Eadeh’s vision and Mr. Yoder’s artistic talent, the Berwyn Mural plan was activated for the community.  Mr. Yoder declared that, “he painted The Berwyn Mural by himself and it took 4 months to complete the Berwyn mural.”  Six years later, Mr. Yoder is no longer a mural artist.  He has changed careers and has a new passion, web design. 

Mr. Yoder stated, “I wanted my own website, so I learned HTML and CSS in order to make it. This introduced me to a new craft, which I have come to love.”

His talent is now shown on an online canvas here:

http://www.karlyoder.com/webdesign.html

Check out the videos that give an overview of the Mr. Yoder’s murals and a close-up of the Berwyn Mural itself.

Special Note: Check out a specific area of the mural.  Look for a young woman wearing a white dress carrying an infant while holding hands with a little girl.  This woman is the daughter of Mr. Eadeh, named Chantal.  The recent picture below shows Chantal posing with her soon to be 6 year old daughter, Lydia that she held in the mural.

Mr. Ermest Eadeh passed away September 2010.  His daughter Chantal D. Eadeh discussed her father’s legacy in the community.  She stated, “he father wanted a landmark that would be part of the town’s community. He had a real sense of the community in which the town that he worked.  It’s a piece of history.”  Take a look at the video regarding Ms. Eadeh’s comments about he father’s commitment of the developing the Berwyn Mural.

The history of the development of the Berwyn Mural shows a community that displayed unity and patriotism.  The parties involved in making this happen were successful in working together to exhibit a positive reflection and landmark of the Village of Berwyn, PA. 

SPECIAL NOTE:

There is another mural in a town called Berwyn, IL.  This artwork reflects their community as well.  Here is a link to College Park’s Patch regarding this article.  This mural is 10 years old while The Berwyn, PA mural is 6 years old.

A Special Thank You:

Even though I have never met this Gentleman, I would like to thank the late, Ernest Eadeh and his family for creating such a wonderful mural that provides a glimpse into a close community that believes in the American Flag and it's symbol of Patriotism.