Post offices with murals, includes new deal and non-new deal art.

Ridgefield Park New Jersey Post Office

July 10, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 155 Main St., Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660
ARTIST: Thomas Donnelly
TITLE: Washington Bridge
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Ridgefield Park post office is still an active, operating facility, and the mural can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides on a wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1935

Usually, when cars are parked out front, I can gage how long I’ll need to wait before I can get a good photograph.

That was not the case when I arrived at the Ridgefield Park post office. Out in front was a stalled car with two cars and their hoods open.

I knew this wasn’t going to be a quick in and out for pictures. So I immediately headed inside to start photographing the mural. This turned out to be a great strategy. I talked to the clerk for a little bit, while the customers with car trouble worked on getting their car started.

I could have left with just the pictures taken from the side, but I really wanted the straight on photo so I waited.

The lighting was perfect and I knew if I came back in the evening I would have had a dark front to the building or worse I have had to return in the morning and also faced darker images. The time of day was perfect for lighting so I waited.

Apparently, someone kind stranger was also helping this lady out, which was nice to see. She tried to hand him some cash when he was done, but he refused to take it.

There are still nice people out there. It was odd to be in the right place at the right time to see this kind jester. It made me smile and is another reason I like to slow down and be more observant in this line of work.

David W. Gates Jr.

Ridgefield Park New Jersey Post Office 07660 Mural

Ridgefield Park New Jersey Post Office 07660 Mural Left

Ridgefield Park New Jersey Post Office 07660 Mural Signagture

Ridgefield Park New Jersey Post Office 07660 Mural Detail

Ridgefield Park New Jersey Post Office 07660 Lobby

Ridgefield Park New Jersey Post Office 07660 Cornerstone

Ridgefield Park New Jersey Post Office 07660 Mural Signature

Sources

Personal visit on 5/20/21 about 1:20 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

North Bergen New Jersey Post Office

June 27, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 4608 Tonnelle Ave., North Bergen, New Jersey 07047
ARTIST: Avery Fischer Johnson
TITLE: Purchase of Territory of North Bergen from the Indians
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The North Bergen post office is still an active, operating facility, and the mural can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1939

You should have seen me trying to get the exterior photos of this one. Ha! All I gotta say is Tonnelle Ave, is a very busy street with LOADS of traffic. I honestly don’t remember how much time I spent here, but it was a while waiting for that perfect moment to get the unobstructed photos you see here.

I think it was a bargain we negotiated with the Indians for their land.

David W. Gates Jr.

North Bergen New Jersey Post Office 07047 Mural Detail

North Bergen New Jersey Post Office 07047 Mural Right

North Bergen New Jersey Post Office 07047 Mural Left

North Bergen New Jersey Post Office 07047 Mural Center

North Bergen New Jersey Post Office 07047 Mural Signature

North Bergen New Jersey Post Office 07047 Mural

North Bergen New Jersey Post Office 07047 Cornerstone

Sources

Personal visit on 5/20/21 about 3:45 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

New Brunswick New Jersey Post Office

June 24, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 86 Bayard St., New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
ARTIST: George Biddle
TITLE: George Washington with De Witt, Geographer of the Revolutionary Army, Washington Retreating from New Brunswick, and Howe and Cornwallis Entering New Brunswick
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (murals) 2 panels
STATUS: The New Brunswick post office is still an active, operating facility, and the murals can be viewed by interested members of the public. They resided in the lobby on the wall of the main lobby.
YEAR: 1935

ADDRESS: 86 Bayard St., New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
ARTIST: Ruth Nickerson
TITLE: The Dispatch Rider
MEDIUM: Plaster (sculpture)
STATUS: The New Brunswick post office is still an active, operating facility. As of this writing, I’ve been unable to locate the status or whereabouts of the Ruth Nickerson piece.
YEAR: 1935

I was surprised how easy it was to see the two murals here in Brunswick. They are in the main lobby and not too far up on the walls which makes them a bit easier to view and enjoy.

However, I did visit this post office twice while I was in town, as they do not keep the lobby open after hours.

I’m still looking for the sculpture by Ruth, No one seems to answer the phone when I call, but I’ll keep at it until I can find out.

It only appears the post office uses the first floor of this building, I’m wondering if the sculpture is on the second floor in another room or hallway.

If someone knows or has seen this please leave a comment below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.