New Deal buildings or New Deal murals or artwork.

Former McKenzie Tennessee Post Office

August 22, 2013 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 640 Main St., McKenzie, Tennessee 38201
ARTIST: Karl Oberteuffer
TITLE: Early U.S. Post Village
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The former McKenzie building is no longer a post office. The mural was moved to the newer post office and is on display behind the retail counter. It is only viewable during business hours.
YEAR: 1938

For mural information please see our article on the current McKenzie, Tennessee Post Office.

Today’s featured post office is the former McKenzie Tennessee Post Office. As I was waiting for an answer from the supervisor at the new post office, I had time to swing by this one and photograph it. I’m glad to see this nice old building repurposed as a genealogy library. The library is named after Gordan Browning the former governor of Tennessee.

And now for the rest of the story, when I first posted about my visit in Tennessee, I mentioned the slow and difficult start. McKenzie was one of the first towns I started to tour during my visit. I knew I wanted to find the old post office and I was happy I did. As you can see by the hours the library was closed, of course I said to myself. I visited on a Wednesday, so the library was closed. I never got inside the building but at least I was able to visit and get a few pictures of the exterior of the building.

I’ll be back to Tennessee to finish up my work but for now here is the Former McKenzie Tennessee Post Office.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

Personal visit on 3/31/2013 and 12/23/2014 by David, Post Office Fans
Tennessee Post Office Murals by David W. Gates Jr.
Tennessee Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
Gordon Browning Museum Genealogical Library
(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

Dresden Tennessee Post Office

August 17, 2013 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 122 Maple St., Dresden, Tennesse, 38225
ARTIST: Minetta Good
TITLE: Retrospection
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Dresden 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: 1940

I love this mural. The colors are alive and brilliant. There is so much going on in this mural that makes it a unique piece. To be honest I don’t have an Art background. This makes it difficult for me to describe in art terminology the various aspects or features of this painting. I love the colors. I love the size of the mural. Maybe if there is an art history major out there that would like to comment, that would be interesting.

The point is you don’t need to be an art history major to enjoy or appreciate this wonderful murals.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Dresden Tennessee Post Office Cornerstone

Dresden Tennessee Post Office Mural Center

Dresden Tennessee Post Office Mural Detail

Dresden Tennessee Post Office Mural Full

Dresden Tennessee Post Office Mural Left Side

Dresden Tennessee Post Office Mural Right Side

Sources

Personal visit on 3/31/2013 by David W. Gates Jr.
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

Gleason Tennessee Post Office

August 10, 2013 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 100 N. Cedar St., Gleason, Tennessee, 38229
ARTIST: Anne Poor
TITLE: Gleason Agriculture
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Gleason 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: 1942

Today’s featured post office is Gleason Tennessee. A wonderful small town with a great post office.

This is just my opinion, but I have to say it. I love post office murals, but this one for some reason just doesn’t do it for me. Maybe its the all dark green feel to the work or maybe the black and white style of the figures on the right side of the mural. I’m having a hard time loving this one.

The front of the building is not necessarily my favorite either. The large white border to the windows and the style of the building is not aesthetically pleasing to me. But what do I know? I still love the fact that this post office has not closed and that the mural is still viewable for the public to enjoy. Which is much more than can be said for some other towns in Tennessee

What are your thoughts on this building? What are your thoughts on this mural? Do you like or dislike this one?

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.