GREENHILLS - The story of this Works Progress Administration town and the region is told on the walls of its Community Building.

Broad, colorful scenes painted by Depression-era artists have survived while most other murals done by the WPA in the Cincinnati area have been painted over or destroyed by demolition of the buildings, say members of the Greenhills Historical Society.

The Depression is still an important period in this town of about 4,100 people in northern Hamilton County. The federal government built the town as one of only three greenbelt communities in the nation in the 1930s. Next month, officials will invite developers to build 17 single-family homes that will look like the Cape Cod and Colonial homes built here during the Depression.

The town's embracing of older architectural designs is fitting, for the town retains its Depression character with the murals in the Community Building on Enfield Street. It's owned by the school district and open about twice a year for alumni meetings.

"The mural in the building's library," said Village Manager David Moore, "depicts blacks on the Ohio River. The Freedom Center people had been searching for such a picture across the country, and they were excited to find it right here. The artist was old enough to recall talking to black people about the river days of long ago."

The frieze in the library features murals by Alabama artist Richard Zoellner, who died earlier this year. His work shows the river's influence on Cincinnati and other areas. The mural, done in colored chalks, also depicts the 1937 flood.

In the music room, Artist Paul Chidlaw, a Cincinnati native and modernist, painted people dancing, working, singing and doing other activities.

In the cafeteria, artist Leo Murphy painted a 180-foot mural consisting of three walls. Sadly, the scenes - people relaxing under trees - have been painted over, and the room is used for storage these days.

If you're visiting Greenhills, stop at the free Concert on the Commons from 7-9 p.m. Aug. 12. Robin Lacy and DeZydeco will perform.

Information: (www.greenhillsohio.org) .•••

SPRINGDALE - The Springdalees, a group of people who grew up in Springdale and attended Springdale Elementary in the 1930s through the 1950s, will hold a reunion from 2-6 p.m. today at the Springdale Nazarene Church recreational facility.

They will tour the old school from 12:30-2 p.m. today.

Since 1988, the reunion has been held every five years.

Information: Jonny McSwain, 769-4943, or Ralph McSwain, 543-8374.

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HAMILTON - The Butler County Historical Society is seeking nominations for historian of the year from each of the county's townships.

A nominee must be at least 16 years old and a leading force in preserving a historic site, building or historical material; the founder or creator of a local historical society in a community; the author of a county history, or the leader of movement to seek a historic marker in the county.

Nominations must be received by Aug. 31.

Information: 896-9930.

Contact Randy McNutt at the Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Drive, West Chester OH 45069. Telephone: 755-4158. Fax: 755-4150. E-mail: Rmcnutt@enquirer.com