Wyuka Cemetery will be the new home of Lincoln’s cherished Pershing Mural. The Committee to Save the Pershing Mural, chaired by Liz Shea-McCoy, says it received a call from the cemetery after other possible locations didn’t work out.
“The Lancaster Event Center was excited about the mural,” McCoy told KLIN News. “However, when it came down to it, there were certain events like the rodeo, when they need every square inch of their campus.
“So, we moved on to the city, and we thought Pioneer Park was our number one choice. And there were a couple of other locations, however Parks didn’t want to have the mural in a park,” said McCoy.
The committee’s fortunes changed with an unexpected call from a trustee of Wyuka Cemetery. “We never thought about Wyuka. It was like a star, too far out in the heavens, that they would even consider the mural,” said McCoy.
McCoy, however, was immediately taken by the venue. “They had the space; they had the landscape area where the mural fit perfectly. And it was visible, especially from O Street, but [also] other locations. It’s got security. It’s going to be well lit. They want to have a plaza area. They’re working on a park in that area, as well.”
The park is fitting for the mural, since Wyuka began its time in the capital as a park. “It fits in every way,” said McCoy.
The Pershing Mural adorned the facade of Lincoln’s Pershing Center for 65 years. It was taken down this year after millions of dollars were raised for its dismantling and preservation.