"Alice of Wonderland Visiting New York"

In the children’s ward of a hospital,

Through the W.P.A.*

A 16-panel mural

Was, for patients, on display.

 

The artist, Abram Champanier,

In 1938,

Took the Lewis Carroll characters

From “Alice” to create

 

A tale of Wonderland’s whole cast

As they visited each site

Of the city of New York

To fill the children with delight.

 

So there on Lady Liberty,

The subway and the zoo,

The Empire State and Steeplechase,

Are Alice and her crew.

 

The building was abandoned

After years and it was marked

For a renovation, so a group

Of volunteers embarked

 

On a plan to save the murals,

Which they managed to preserve.

Our gratitude is not enough

To give what they deserve.

 

The restoration took some years

And now they are on view.

A museum** in New York is where

I saw them; so can you.

 

How wonderful to have a chance

To see each vibrant scene

And to reinforce the joy of art

And how much it can mean.

 

*Works Progress Administration

**Museum of the City of New York