Archives for June 2021

Millburn New Jersey Post Office

June 19, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 300 Millburn Ave., Millburn, New Jersey 07041
ARTIST: Gerald Foster
TITLE: Revolutionary Engagement at Bridge in Millburn—1790
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Millburn post office is still an active, operating facility, however, the mural has been reported missing, lost or destroyed. It previously resided in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1939

Before headed out to New Jersey, I had a feeling I wasn’t going to see the mural here. So I never intended to spend a great deal of time here.

However, trying to photograph that cornerstone took some extra maneuvering in the bushes.

If anyone has any further information regarding the fate of this one, we’d love to hear from you. I’ve managed to find one image of the mural from the National Archives records.

David W. Gates Jr.

Millburn New Jersey Post Office 07041 Cornerstone

Millburn New Jersey Post Office 07041 Cornerstone DG

Millburn New Jersey Post Office 07041 Mural

Mount Holly New Jersey Post Office 08060 Cornerstone

Sources

Personal visit on 5/21/21 about 5:45 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
(affiliate link) New Jersey Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
United States Postal Service
Monmouth County New Jersey (https://www.monmouthcountyclerk.com/archives/record-groups/other-county-records/molly-pitcher-mural-1991/) Accessed June 15, 2021.
NJ.com N.J. post offices showcase Depression-era public art – nj.com
Millburn – Short Hills Historical Society (https://mshhistsoc.org/archive-entry/?search=post+office&page_number=1&entry_id=49f27880-366b-11eb-a3bb-dd2cdb309201)
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz

Former Matador Texas Post Office – Guest

June 18, 2021 By Doug

ADDRESS: 700 Dundee Ave, Matador Texas 79244

Thanks Doug,

Metuchen New Jersey Post Office

June 17, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 360 Main St., Metuchen, New Jersey 08840
ARTIST: Harld Ambellan
TITLE: Gardeners
MEDIUM: Plaster (relief)
STATUS: The Metuchen post office is still an active, operating facility, and the relief can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1939

Another beautiful building that has been well cared for.

One thing I noticed about reliefs, carvings and sculptures is that because of the three-demential attribute of them, they tend to collect dust. The relief in Metuchen is a perfect example.

After taking close up images of this one you can really see the dust and dirt collect on the top part of the relief. I was temped to ask the staff I could get up there to dust is off and clean it, but I didn’t.

David W. Gates Jr.