ADDRESS: 155 Main St., Matawan, New Jersey 07747
ARTIST: Armin A. Scheler
TITLE: Philip Frenean Freeing the Slaves, Rural Mail, Old Hospital, Old Glenwood Institute, and First Presbyterian Church, 1767
MEDIUM: Plaster (reliefs)
STATUS: The Matawan post office is still an active, operating facility, and the reliefs can be viewed by interested members of the public. They resided in the lobby on the wall above the mailboxes.
YEAR: 1937
Matawan is a great example of a post office building that has been maintained well. It appears someone also took the time to enhance the lobby, by adding motion sensing lights. I think this is the first post office lobby where I’ve seen this.
I do believe there is one more in the retail section of the lobby. Since I was there after hours, I was not able to confirm this.
The only grip I have is trying to get the cornerstone picture. I had to crawl into the bushes for this one.
The reliefs are smaller pieces, but wonderfully displayed for all to enjoy.
UPDATE
I had time during my August 2021 trip so I stopped to get better exterior pictures. I was also able to confirm the 5th relief is located in the retail section of the lobby.
David W. Gates Jr.
Sources
- Personal visit on 5/22/21 about 7:00APM and 8/12/2021 about 2:56 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
- (affiliate link) New Jersey Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
- United States Postal Service
- (affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal
: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
