Between 1996 and 2002, York commissioned a remarkable series of large-scale murals painted on the exterior walls of downtown buildings. The project produced dozens of works spanning several blocks, depicting York's history, its people, and its industrial past in vivid photorealist and narrative styles. Walking the mural trail is a free way to spend an hour in the downtown and encounter the city's self-image.
The murals range from depictions of the Continental Congress meetings of 1777 to scenes of factory life and community portraits. A walking map is available from the York County History Center. The project has been cited as one of the most ambitious public art efforts in Pennsylvania.