New Deal buildings or New Deal murals or artwork.

Paulsboro New Jersey Post Office

July 2, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 1015 N. Delaware St., Paulsboro, New Jersey 08066
ARTIST: Nena de Brennecke
TITLE: Oil Refining
MEDIUM: Wood (relief)
STATUS: The Paulsboro 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 postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1939

This one is unique in that the wood carings are actually painted. This the first one I’ve seen that has bene painted. There may be others, but so far, most wood carvings or reliefs have been just solid wood with no paint.

Seems any sort of hint that I was photographing was not enough to move the dude in the pink shirt. I really wanted better pictures of the bulletin board and old photos but he did not move, even after standing right next to him to take the pictures. oh well. Maybe it would have been rude of me to ask him to move. Maybe he had a bum need or leg and moving would have been a problem. At any rate I got what I could and was on my way.

Paulsboro seems to be a low income or depressed area, gaging by the dilapidated buildings and riff raft hanging out at the little convenience store across the street.

I was not expecting a white Bentley to drive by, but that’s exactly what happened as I was headed out of the parking lot. You just never know what you are going see, driving around photographing post offices.

David W. Gates Jr.

Paulsboro New Jersey Post Office 08066 Relief Right

Paulsboro New Jersey Post Office 08066 Relief Left

Paulsboro New Jersey Post Office 08066 Relief Detail

Paulsboro New Jersey Post Office 08066 Vestibule

Paulsboro New Jersey Post Office 08066 Relief

Paulsboro New Jersey Post Office 08066 Relief Center

Paulsboro New Jersey Post Office 08066 Lobby

Paulsboro New Jersey Post Office 08066 Artifacts

Sources

Personal visit on 5/19/21 about 1:50 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
Borough of Paulsboro (History – Borough of Paulsboro (paulsboronj.org))

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.