New Deal buildings or New Deal murals or artwork.

Decherd Tennessee Post Office

July 14, 2013 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 305 E. Main St., Decherd, Tennessee, 37324
ARTIST: Enea Biafora
TITLE: News on the Job
MEDIUM: Wood (carving)
STATUS: This is still an active post office. The mural resides in the lobby above the postmaster’s door. It is viewable to members of the public interested in viewing it.
YEAR: 1940

Bonus Weekend!!! you get two nice old post offices with artwork this weekend. Yesterday was Livingston and today I bring you Decherd. I hope it’s not too much artwork in one weekend but I figured if you’re a fan of post office, you’d appreciate this.

It’s not often I get to showcase an older post office that has a wood carving instead of a mural. But that is exactly what we have here today. The Decherd Tennessee Post Office is truly a classic and gem in the United States Postal Service collection of old buildings that house wonderful artwork.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Decherd Tennessee Post Office 37324 Lobby

Decherd Tennessee Post Office Corner Stone

Decherd Tennessee Post Office Wood Carving Center

Decherd Tennessee Post Office Wood Carving Detail

Decherd Tennessee Post Office Wood Carving Full

Decherd Tennessee Post Office Wood Carving Left Side

Decherd Tennessee Post Office Wood Carving Right Side

Sources

Personal visit on 4/01/2013 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

Livingston Tennessee Post Office

July 13, 2013 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 105 S. Court St., Livingston, Tennessee, 38570
ARTIST: Margaret Covey Chisholm
TITLE: The Newcomers
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Livingston 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

Another gem in Livingston Tennessee. I always feel really good when leave one of these knowing I’ve captured as much as I could with the abundant pictures I’ve taken. It is always a treat when visit a nice old post office. I slow down. I take more pictures. I enjoy the artwork on the wall and the associated charms of the building.

This is one of the first murals that I’ve actually seen the mural drape down the sides of the post master’s door and between the bulletin boards on either side. It really is a unique piece and rather interesting the artist choose to paint outside the normal rectangle so often found in other buildings.

I want to hear from you my readers? I know you are out there. Maybe too shy to post a comment but have something really cool about some bit of history about this wonderful post office. Did you work here? Did you are a relative help build the building? Don’t be shy, I want to hear it all.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Livingston Tennessee Post Office Cornerstone

Livingston Tennessee Post Office Mural Artists Signature

Livingston Tennessee Post Office Mural Center

Livingston Tennessee Post Office Mural Detail

Livingston Tennessee Post Office Mural Full

Livingston Tennessee Post Office Mural Left Side

Livingston Tennessee Post Office Mural Right Side

Sources

Personal visit on 4/02/2013 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

Former Dayton Tennessee Post Office

July 7, 2013 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 400 Main St., Dayton, Tennessee 37321
ARTIST: Bertram Hartman
TITLE: View From Johnson Bluff
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: No longer a post office, however, the mural still here. It’s located in the lobby above the former postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1939

I’m always disappointed when I see buildings sold off to private businesses. I’m not sure what I make of this one except that is no longer a post office. At lease the city of Dayton keeps the building maintained and the mural on display for the public. After all that was why they were installed in post offices in the first place, for the public enjoyment.

Any of my fans know when the City of Dayton purchased this building? Any Dayton history buff, have any interesting they like to share about this building?

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.