A collaborative group of volunteers from the Hampshire County Arts Council (HCAC), the Town of Romney including the Mayor and the Town Administrator, and concerned and interested business owners and citizens has embarked on an adventure to use art and this history to showcase our town. Our collective love of art coupled with our interest in history led us to this extremely needed effort, namely The Romney Project (TRP) to raise awareness of our town’s rich history and culture and uplift the community spirit through arts and education.

Romney—West Virginia’s oldest town (established December 23, 1762)— is a pearl in the Hampshire Highlands, waiting to be polished and shown to the world.  Inspired by the successes of the arts-driven community awakenings around WV, we will be “painting the town.”  Not red but with art and activities that will transform the perception of Romney visually, emotionally, passionately and affectionately.  You can be a part of our plans and dreams. 

• MURALS: Multiple Romney business owners have granted permission for murals to be painted on their buildings. A variety of themes are planned depending on the location and the history of the location.  John D’Amico, HCAC member and professional commercial artist, along with other local artists, is designing the murals by working with the business owners and TRP members. The signature mural, shown at top left, is a historical timeline of Romney from the early Indian settlements to today and has been proposed for a large building or to be used in parts on a series of buildings.  Also shown at left are details of a section in the middle, and the design of the end of the mural showing some of what life is like today, and a design for one shop in Romney.