New Deal buildings or New Deal murals or artwork.

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.

Dubuque IA Post Office 52001 Mural Plaque

Dubuque IA Post Office 52001 Cornerstone

Sources

Personal visit on 6/25/21 about 11:15 AM by David W. Gates Jr.
United States Postal Service
City of Dubuque Iowa. Historic Federal Building | Dubuque, IA – Official Website (cityofdubuque.org)

Plainfield New Jersey Post Office

July 18, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 201 Watchung Ave., Plainfield, New Jersey 07060
ARTIST: Anton Refregier
TITLE: Figures from American Folklore and Quilting Bee
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural) 2 panels
STATUS: The Plainfield post office is still an active, operating facility, and the murals can be viewed by interested members of the public. One resides on a wall above the postmaster’s door. The other one resides in the lobby on the wall above the mailboxes.
YEAR: 1937

The battery on my phone was really dying when I arrived at the Plainfield building. I took a few quick pictures outside, but immediately went inside to photograph the murals. I wanted to get these before the battery quit on me.

Luckily, I was able to get the murals and the exterior photographs, but its a bit unsettling when I can’t tell how long I have until the phone quits.

The lobby and vestibule in this building is huge. I was not expecting to find such a large space, but I did. It was also very quiet and which was nice so I was able to work quickly with no interruptions.

David W. Gates Jr.