UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The exterior of Old Main is an iconic part of Penn State's campus. Beyond the bell tower, though, the interior of the building tells the story of Penn State's history through a mural that covers more than 1,300 square feet. Through painted depictions of students, workers and American presidents, Old Main's land-grant frescoes have preserved the University's past for more than 60 years.

The frescoes were painted by American artist Henry Varnum Poor. While his daughter, Anne, applied fresh plaster to the walls of Old Main, he would go through and add paint to the piece, creating a fresco directly on the wall. Poor originally painted just the central fresco over the stairs of the entryway, but returned in 1948 to add additional works to the left and right wings of the Old Main lobby. Poor also painted murals inside the Department of Justice and Department of Interior buildings in Washington, D.C.

Poor used the frescoes to document and preserve Penn State's history as a land-grant institution. The pieces show miners and blacksmiths at work, a precursor to today's programs in the Earth and Mineral Sciences, and agricultural sections show students caring for livestock.

Abraham Lincoln is displayed front and center along with a young man planting a tree, as an ode to the Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1862. The act, signed by President Lincoln, offers insight to Penn State's mission: to “promote the liberal and practical education … in the several pursuits and professions of life” for the people of Pennsylvania.

The original installation included the center wall of the lobby, above the staircase. Following World War II, Poor added the left and right panels of the installation, thanks to funds allotted by the student body to continue the piece. The portions of the mural were bridged by figures who had informed Penn State's growth and development, from James Irvin to Ralph Hetzel.

Time and exposure wore away at the original frescoes after their initial installation. But Penn State restored the frescoes in 2014, returning the paintings to their original state.

Visitors can stop in at Old Main to view the frescoes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week.