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

Clinton Tennessee Post Office

April 11, 2015 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 1121 N. Charles G. Seivers Blvd., Clinton, Tennessee 37716
ARTIST: Horace Day
TITLE: Farm and Factory
MEDIUM: Tempera (mural)
STATUS: The mural resides in the lobby and is accessible to members of the public interested in viewing it.
YEAR: 1940

Some people have told me that I’m never satisfied. I have also been described as a perfectionist. It’s true, I’m all of the above and then some. Now, let’s take a look at the Clinton, Tennessee Post Office and we’ll see another example my demanding personality.

Yes, I’m delighted the mural has been saved and moved to a location that can be enjoyed by all. However, it’s so far up the wall that even the locals don’t even know it’s there. While I was visiting and photographing this one a man stopped me to ask what I was doing. When I pointed out the mural his comment was “I never really noticed it”. I was happy to at least talk to one of the locals. We had a great conversation and he even gave me brief directions to the older original building in Clinton.

Don’t get the wrong idea, I’m not disgruntled or mad, I just think there could have been a little more thought into the placement of the mural. Bring it down past that blue border. Or maybe even tit it facing down so people can at least get a better view of it when looking up. Just a few suggestions from the Post office Freak.

I welcome your comments good and bad below. Please share.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Clinton Tennessee Post Office Mural 37716 Artists Signature

Clinton Tennessee Post Office Mural 37716 Center

Clinton Tennessee Post Office Mural 37716 Detail

Clinton Tennessee Post Office Mural 37716 Full

Clinton Tennessee Post Office Mural 37716 Left

Clinton Tennessee Post Office Mural 37716 Right

Sources

Personal visit on 9/05/2014 by David, Post Office Fans
Tennessee Post Office Murals by David W. Gates Jr.
Tennessee 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
(affiliate link): Tennessee Post Office Murals: Howard Hull
The Courier News (The Courier News (mycouriernews.com)
Knox News (which-east-tennessee-post-offices-show-off-depressionera-artworks (knoxnews.com))

Vandalia Illinois Post Office

March 21, 2015 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 304 South 4th Street, Vandalia, Illinois, 62471
ARTIST: Aaron Bohrod
TITLE: Old State Capitol in Vandalia
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Vandalia 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: 1936

I arrived prior to the operation hours one weekend in May. I was headed towards Herrin and decided to stop in and see this one. I ended up photographing and viewing the mural through the glass window. It is always a difficult decision to post articles with out complete pictures. I wish I had better ones, but since you get the general idea I’ve decided to post what I have.

What struck me first was the abundance of colors. I like the overall landscape of this mural. The children running with the dog makes for a pleasant subject. At some point I’ll head back to get better detail photos but for now. What are your impressions of this mural? What sticks out for you? Please comment and share below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

10/24/2020 UPDATE

It’s taken me three separate visits to finally photograph the mural in the Vandalia, Illinois post office. On Saturday, October 24, 2020 I woke up at 2:00am to drive south to visit 4 buildings. Vandalia was one stop during this road trip. The retail section of this lobby is closed on Sunday’s and during non-business hours. You are able to see the mural through the glass windows. However, my goals were to photograph it without the glass in the way. I’ve now completed that task. I also enjoyed seeing the old construction photos in the bulletin board on display. Enjoy!

2014 Visit Vandalia Illinois Post Office 62471

Vandalia Illinois Post Office 62471 Cornerstone

Vandalia Illinois Post Office Mural 62471 Center

Vandalia Illinois Post Office Mural 62471 Detail

Vandalia Illinois Post Office Mural 62471 Right Side

Vandalia Illinois Post Office Mural 62471 Lobby

Vandalia Illinois Post Office Mural 62471 Left Side

Vandalia Illinois Post Office Mural 62471 Full

Vandalia Illinois Post Office 62471 Artifact

Vandalia Illinois Post Office 62471 Mural Left Side

Vandalia Illinois Post Office 62471 Mural Right Sid

Vandalia Illinois Post Office 62471 Mural Center

Sources

Personal visit on 5/24/2014, 8/16/2016 & 10/24/2020 by David W. Gates Jr.
Illinois Post Office Mural Guidebook
United States Postal Service
Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
Parma Conservation
The Leader Union

Former Newport Tennessee Post Office

February 21, 2015 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 219 E. Broadway Street, Newport, Tennessee, 37821
ARTIST: Minna Citron
TITLE: TVA Power
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The murals no longer resides in the original building shown here. They were moved to the Newport Community Center on Cosby Highway. The murals are located in the second floor museum. They are only viewable during very limited volunteer hours.
YEAR: 1940

After I finished my visit at the newer post office I headed over to the former Newport building. Anyone familiar with the older buildings knows its easy to spot. It’s the classic square boxy shape. Has two lamps on either side of the staircase and a half circle above the door. But you won’t find the mural here. Nope! according to my research it has been moved to Newport Community Center. Inside the community center is the Cocke County Museum where the mural resides.

By the time we had figured this out we were not able to visit the museum. Further more, I’ve also discovered the museum is only open one day a week and for limited hours. Go figure! How does that jive with making the art accessible? Anyway, another time and another place, I’ll be back to hopefully seen this one. To be honest I was reluctant to post this one since I didn’t have the artwork to include in this article. But I when I first started this blog I was more concerned with getting a good exterior picture of the building. I’ve achieved that so I decided to post this article. Hopefully, I have it before this article goes live. Yes, I was able to get the mural photos before this article posted. Please see the update below.

When I was talking to the man at the newer building he mentioned he knew the owner of the building. It also occurred to me that the post office may have vacated and sold this building many years ago. Here is why, at some point federal law required all buildings to be ADA compliant. Many of these older buildings had to be retrofitted with ramps in front of the buildings to accommodate persons with disabilities. This building does not have a ramp which lead me to believe it may have been sold prior the law being enforced for older buildings.

What can you tell me about it? Are my assumptions correct? Now that I think about it maybe there is a ramp in the back of the building. I don’t recall seeing one but you never know. Please comment below if you know more about this building.

Former Newport Tennessee Post Office 37821

Former Newport Tennessee Post Office 37821 Cornerstone

UPDATE January 2015

I found the murals, scheduled a visit, and photographed them. This was actually in December but I’m just getting around to updating this post in January. It’s actually 4 separate panels I’ve labeled each panel 1, panel 2, panel 3 etc. The biggest question I have for everyone now is this: Where inside the building where the murals installed? See I can tell by panel 1 that this was above the postmasters office door as it has the classic missing square at the bottom of the mural. This is because the mural came down past the door on either side.

So if that is the case which walls were the other 3 panels installed? I like to see picture of when this building was a post office and when the art was installed. Anyone out there have such images? Please comment and share below.

The mural is no longer at the building on Broadway. It has been moved to the Newport community center. There is a small museum on the second floor. I scheduled an appointment and a volunteer meet me there. Special thanks to Jane and the museum for taking time out your day.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.