Belmont History and Mural Project
Belmont History and Mural Project
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Belmont History--Digital Humanities
Belmont History--Digital Humanities
The Belmont Historical Society has photographs and a narrative history that extends from the earliest Shaker settlers through the Civil War, industrialization, two World Wars, migrations of new populations into the area, and the present day in the Belmont, Eastmont, and Hearthstone area.
The Belmont Eastmont Hearthstone Community Council and Belmont Historical Society updated the 100-page book to capture new information, including the history of Native American settlers and newer immigrants. Partners helped transfer the narrative and photos online., creating a clickable timeline and a page for specific events, builldings, and people.
The Mural Project
The Mural Project
The Belmont Eastmont Hearthstone Community Council and the Belmont Business Association worked with Megan Smallwood and local organizations to create a vibrant mural in the Belmont Business District. The project contains a mural of native flowers and a QR code that will direct visitors to a digital humanities project that includes a timeline of the history of Belmont. To learn more about native flowers in Ohio, visit this page.
This exciting project included the 2024 Belmont Days and the initial design and preparation of the mural site. The work also included a digital set of lessons regarding famous muralists in the United States of America and local artists and murals in Dayton. Belmont 7th through 12th graders participated in learning about the project and the murals. The project culminated in the painting of the mural throughout of the Spring of 2025 with a final reveal for the community.
See some of the list of plants in the mural from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center.
Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eye Susan)
Cirsium (Thistle)
Echinacea (Coneflower)
Aquilegia canadensis (Columbine)
Helianthus annus (Sunflower)
BEHCC worked with a number of partners and funders to create the mural and history and would like to acknowledge each of the organizations that provided funding and technical assistance to this project.
Funders and Partners
Funders and Partners
Learn more about the organizations that assisted in the funding and the planning of this project with Belmont Eastmont Hearthstone Community Council, Belmont Historical Society, and Belmont Business Association.
Artist and Humanities Professional
Artist and Humanities Professional
Megan Smallwood created the public mural and provided humanities education to students. An artist with an Appalachian history and a resident of Belmont, Megan has created other murals, paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other artist works. Meg's work is featured at juried shows and in public murals throughout the Dayton area. She also is the director of pottery program at John Bryant Community Pottery. Megan is also the owner of Smallwood Arts and a resident of Belmont. She graduated from Wright State University with a BFA.
Belmont Now--Video
Belmont Now--Video
Yard and Company is an urban design firm located in Cincinnati. Through a consultation funded by the City of Dayton, Yard and Company created a video of the Belmont Business District and surrounding neighborhoods. The video presents opportunities for transformational change and growth. Interviews with local residents, business owners, and City of Dayton staff provide insights and ideas for the future. Click on the video to the left to watch.
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