New Deal buildings or New Deal murals or artwork.

Washington New Jersey Post Office

June 5, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 36 Belvidere Ave., Washington, New Jersey 07882
ARTIST: Frank D. Shapiro
TITLE: A Rising in Early New Jersey
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Washington 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: 1938

Another closed lobby as I arrived after hours. Darn! I was really hoping to see this one. I feel like Washington is a nicer area or neighborhood and that the building would be open. I took my chances and decided to head out later in the day. Turns out that was not the best decision for this one.

Oh well, I guess I’ll have to come back. Darn! just not sure when I’ll get the chance. But at least I have the exterior images of the building. Partial success.

Trying to get those cornerstone images is sometime a real challenge. In this case, I had to move into the bushes, hold back the branches and try to get a some-what level photograph. This was about as good as I could get.

UPDATE

During my road trip in August of 2021 I was able to re-visit this one. I made it a point to visit during business hours so I could get inside. What a treat, and wha a great mural. Plus you have some nice historical artifacts and write-ups in the bulletin board. Very cool! I also love the bring facade of this one.

David W. Gates Jr.

Washington New Jersey Post Office 07882 Mural Detail

Washington New Jersey Post Office 07882 Mural Center

Washington New Jersey Post Office 07882 Mural Left

Washington New Jersey Post Office 07882 Mural Right

Washington New Jersey Post Office 07882 Mural Full

Washington New Jersey Post Office 07882 Artifact

Washington New Jersey Post Office 07882 Cornerstone

Sources

Personal visit on 5/22/21 about 4:06 PM and 8/11/2021 about 2:43 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

West New York New Jersey Post Office

June 4, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 5415 Bergenline Ave., West New York, New Jersey 07093
ARTIST: William Dean Fausett
TITLE: View From the Palisades — West New York
MEDIUM: Oil on plywood (mural)
STATUS: The West New York 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 retail counter.
YEAR: 1937

While doing some pre-trip planing, I tried to make myself as familiar with the sites I was going to visit before heading out to New Jersey. I knew that getting a full image of the building with no cars or people was going to be nearly impossible.

True to this reasoning, I found this to be exactly the case. West New York is a really congested place, both cars and people. I scheduled my visit early on a Sunday and STILL found cars out in front. I knew if that was the case it was going to be nearly impossible to get an unobstructed photograph of this one.

Even after being here at 6:30AM on a Sunday. I figured the cars were not moving anytime soon. I settled for the close up images you see below.

I wasn’t planning on the lobby being open and sure enough it wasn’t. I’ll have to plan my visit during business hours when I come back later for the mural images.

I do like the plaque out front, but I’m wounding how many people actually read it or know of it.

David W. Gates Jr.

West New York New Jersey Post Office 07093 Cornerstone

West New York New Jersey Post Office 07093 Plaque

West New York New Jersey Post Office 07093 Mural Detail

West New York New Jersey Post Office 07093 Mural Signature

West New York New Jersey Post Office 07093 Mural

Sources

Personal visit on 5/23/21 about 6:33 AM and 8/11/2021 about 10:20 AM by David W. Gates Jr.
(affiliate link) New Jersey Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
United States Postal Service
NJ.cm N.J. post offices showcase Depression-era public art – nj.com
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz

Haddon Heights New Jersey Post Office

June 4, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 701 Station Ave., Haddon Heights, New Jersey 08035
ARTIST: Isamu Noguchi
TITLE: The Letter
MEDIUM: Stone (sculpture)
STATUS: The Haddon Heights post office is still an active, operating facility, and the sculpture can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1935

Haddon Heights has done a wonderful job preserving and showcasing the importance of this interesting work of art. What a treat to see this done so nicely. There is a plaque outside the building for pedestrians to see and read about the work before even heading inside. What a great concept, one I wish more communities would take an interest in.

David W. Gates Jr.