Artist

West Caldwell New Jersey Post Office

August 25, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 155 Clinton Rd, Caldwell, New Jersey 07006
ARTIST: Brenda Putnam
TITLE: Sorting the Mail
MEDIUM: Plaster (lunette)
STATUS: The Caldwell post office on Park Ave. is still an active, operating facility. However, the lunette was moved from its original location to the West Caldwell facility here on Clinton Road. It formally resided in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1934

When I went looking for the mural in Caldwell, I visited the original building on Park Ave. When I arrived in May of this year, I was told the art had been removed from the building. The clerk I spoke to mentioned it was being installed in the newer post office on Clinton road.

At the time I had not planned on an extra visit, so I did not visit the West Caldwell post office until my second trip in August of 2021. When I arrived, the clerk mentioned the art has been restored and covered up. The postal service was going to hold a dedication ceremony in 2020, however, due to the COVID pandemic, the celebrations were canceled. However, the art is still covered up.

When I visited in August, I was hoping that by the time I arrived it would have been dedicated and on display. Sadly this was not the case. The art is still coved up and no matter how hard I tried to get the clerk to let me see it, I was denied.

That is ashamed. I was really hoping to see this one and to photograph is during this visit. Another time my friend, another time. I did meet a nice lady who mentioned, that once the art is revealed she would take a picture and send it to me. I promptly provided my business card. I hope she remembers when it gets uncovered.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

West Caldwell NJ Post Office 07006 Covered Art

Sources

Personal visit on 8/11/21 about 8:50 AM by David W. Gates Jr.
United States Postal Service

Hawthorne New Jersey Post Office

August 19, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 226 Diamond Bridge Ave., Hawthorne, New Jersey 07506
ARTIST: Ilse Erythropel
TITLE: Postman and Hawthorne Bush
MEDIUM: Wood (sculpture)
STATUS: The Hawthorne 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 post office boxes.
YEAR: 1940

During my second trip to New Jersey, in August 2021, I visited the Hawthorne post office. Initially, my research reveled, Patterson as the location with the art.

In May 2021, I visited the main Patterson post office but did not find any art. Fast forward to August and was able to visit the Hawthorne post offie to complete this site visit.

My initial visit to the Hawthorne building was after hours on the 10th, I had to circle around to revisit on the 11th for the interior photos.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Hawthorne NJ Post Office 07506 Cornerstone

Sources

Personal visit on 8/10/21 about 5:08 PM and 8/11/21 about 9:25 AM by David W. Gates Jr.
(affiliate link) New Jersey Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
United States Postal Service

Dubuque Iowa Post Office

August 18, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 350 W 6th St Ste 124, Dubuque, Iowa 52001
ARTIST: Bertrand R. Adams
TITLE: Early Settlers of Dubuque
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas
STATUS: The Dubuque post office is still an active, operating facility, and the murals can be viewed by interested members of the public. They both reside on a walls of the main entrance.
YEAR: 1937

ARTIST: William E. L. Bunn
TITLE: Early Mississippi Steamboat
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas
STATUS: The Dubuque post office is still an active, operating facility, and the murals can be viewed by interested members of the public. They both reside on a walls of the main entrance.
YEAR: 1937

My son and I drove to Dubuque on June 25, 2021. It was nice adventure day. We stopped by the Dubuque, Iowa post office and we also visited the Crystal Lake Caves and Fenelon Palace car.

I remember my parents took me on the palace car when I was younger and I wanted to re-create this experience for my son. It’s interesting how that attraction has not changed much in 40 years.

I do remember it being a humid day, and the local Taco Bell frozen slushy machine wasn’t working, after waiting in the drive through line for quit a while.

Anyway, here are all the numerous photos we took during this trip. Kudos to the kid for taking his own photos while we visited with his iPad.

And by the way, the murals are great, but this building has so much more. The exterior art deco features are wonderful, there are framed blueprints throughout the lobby. and the second floor houses some nice artifacts including a bell. Lots of little things to see.

David W. Gates Jr.