Justice and the Prairie

These two curved murals, located on each side of the entry lobby, simulate decorative sculptural and architectural relief, and faux ceramic pictorial murals, similar to Portuguese "azulejos."  One mural represents Kansas and the plains of the 19th century, when the occupation and use of the land passed from the hunter-gatherer Native Americans to the


early farmer settlers of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.  Native Americans view the passage of a wagon train on the right, and the freed slaves of Nicodemus Town, Kansas, the first settlement in the midwest established for African Americans, repose on the left.  The central Native American figure of the Prairie mural, a shaman, was the brother of Tecumsah and is buried in Kansas City, Kansas.  The hardships endured by the settlers, and the very different attitude towards the land and the elements of the Native Americans, are reflected in quotations.

The second mural depicts 20th century Kansas City flanking a monumental figure of Justice.  Statements from the Constitution of Five Indian Nations and from U.S. Supreme Court Justice David J. Brewer of Kansas are also incorporated into this mural.  Together, the murals form a tribute to the people of Kansas and our judicial system.