Thomas Hart Benton Murals

Thomas Hart Benton was born in 1899 in Neosho, Missouri. Benton signed a contract to paint a continuous mural, 12 feet high and about 250 feet long, depicting the “Social and Industrial History of Indiana.” Benton traveled throughout Indiana for nearly six months to view the society and culture of the state before beginning the project in Indianapolis. The mural was completed in 1932. Sections of the mural are now on display in the lobby of the Indiana University Auditorium and inside the IU Cinema Center.