Painting Culpeper’s Past: The Culpeper Minute Men Mural
September 24, 2025 Things to Do
Interview by: Maddie Burbridge
Ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Culpeper Minute Men, history has come to life in a new mural by local artist Layton Scarbrough. Located near Yowell Meadow Park, the Culpeper Minute Men mural depicts one of the most significant events in the county’s history.
I had the opportunity to speak with Layton to learn about the history of the Minute Men, his background, his inspiration and research for this mural, and the emerging art scene in Culpeper.
The History of the Culpeper Minute Men
In October 1775, a militia of 350 men from Culpeper, Fauquier, and Orange counties mustered in what is now Yowell Meadow Park to begin their march to Williamsburg to fight British forces. Named for their ability to mobilize “at a minute’s notice,” the Minute Men became local heroes for their contribution to securing America’s independence. Their signature flags, inscribed with the mottos “Don’t Tread on Me” and “Liberty or Death,” became iconic rallying cries of patriotism that are still used today.
Remembering the Minute Men with a Mural
To mark the anniversary of the militia’s formation, the Town of Culpeper commissioned a public art piece to depict the Minute Men’s bravery and journey to battle. Scarbrough describes the mural as “a timeline that follows a Minute Men soldier leaving home, enduring battle, and then returning to his family.” The mural stretches around a retaining wall on Gardner Street, near Yowell Meadow Park.
History buffs will be thrilled to see the Culpeper Minute Men’s journey captured with such historical accuracy. The artist conducted thorough research at the Museum of Culpeper History, with the Culpeper branch of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and by speaking with Revolutionary reenactors to ensure every detail was true to Culpeper’s fascinating history. Scarbrough explained how the colors were chosen to reflect the way “the soldiers’ uniforms were dyed with leaves to match the foliage of the season” and took care to include details like “the specific way soldiers at the time would have pinned their hats.” The vivid colors and emotional figures create a snapshot of history, giving the viewer a glimpse into the experiences of the Minute Men and Culpeper’s role in the American Revolution.
The mural is not only historically significant, but it also includes personal connections to the artist and the modern Culpeper community. Drawing inspiration from Norman Rockwell, who used his friends and family as models for his paintings, Scarbrough’s family and local community appear as the figures in the mural. Viewers will also recognize symbols of the area, like dogwood flowers, cardinals, and the Blue Ridge Mountains, all elements of life in Central Virginia today, just as they were 250 years ago.
Culpeper’s Exciting Small Town Art Scene
The Minutemen mural is part of a larger public art initiative in Culpeper, making creative depictions of the area’s history and culture accessible to visitors and locals alike. Originally studying animation, Scarbrough shifted to murals because of “the social element of the mural painting process.” He prefers working outside, interacting with people passing by, and having his art become part of everyday life in Culpeper. He expressed his gratitude to the Town of Culpeper for “creating opportunities for artists to create historically significant art and also to tell their own stories.” As you explore Culpeper, be sure to keep an eye out for several murals, including more works by Scarbrough and other local artists. Check out further details here.
History Week 2025
There will be celebrations for the 250th anniversary across Culpeper and the surrounding counties from October 18th to 26th. Learn more about the Minute Men through museum exhibitions, talks from historians, walking tours, and historical reenactments. You can find the full schedule of events here.
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