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Jeffrey Pearlman, Meier Hall mural expert, will give a talk about Robert E. Larter’s 1966 work, “The Chronicle of Salem,” and offer a tour of the mural as we celebrate its retirement and prepare for a new mural. There will be a mural cake!

The Mural in Meier Hall, “Chronicle of Salem,” was painted in 1966 by Robert E. Larter, then a member of the Art Department. Due to significant fading, it was touched up in the 1990s. It has again significantly faded. At the same time, there have been several occasions when SSU community members expressed concerns about whether the mural reflects and represents our community today. This academic year, SSU has the opportunity to update the mural thanks to grant support and community partnerships. This work will happen this summer 2026. Before the end of the spring semester, we are making time and space to appreciate the current work and engage the SSU and Salem community in the process.  

The mural is important to the history of Salem State and will be celebrated and digitally preserved as we welcome a new work of public art on the wall of the Meier Hall stairwell. 

The Retirement Party will feature a lecture and tour of the current mural by Jeffrey Pearlman, along with a discussion of the transition plan and a preview of the work of the four finalists selected to present sketches for the new mural. 

Voting to select the artist and sketch for the new mural will be open for campus and community vote (open to all), May 5-17.