Parma Conservation

ADDRESS: 1818 Milton Ave. Ste. 100,  Janesville, Wisconsin 53545
ARTIST: Boris Gilbertson
TITLE: Wild Ducks
MEDIUM: Aluminum (Stamped panel)
STATUS:  The aluminum panels made for Janesville by Gilbertson are now in the newer post office where they are only available for view- ing during business hours. The lobby has a locked retail section where the panels are located.
YEAR: 1940

Today’s featured post office is quite unique. Although, this is a newer building it contains the 4 aluminum panels that once graced the lobby of the Former Janesville Wisconsin Post Office. This is quite unique since most of the artwork that was commissioned was for murals or sculptures. It’s rather interesting and defiantly worth talking about and showcasing here. I’m delighted to have been able to visit and photograph them. Now if we can get them moved into the lobby so people can enjoy them during Sundays or after hours, that would be a better benefit to the community.

During my first visit to Janesville a year ago, I never walked into the retail counter area. I did go into the lobby where the post office boxes are but it never occurred that I should check the sectioned of retails sales area. So in August of 2013 I decided to do a little more research and try to locate the artwork that was once in the older building. My first stop was the older building on Dodge street. The former building now houses the Arrowhead Library System. After chatting up the very nice ladies in the office, they confirmed that the aluminum panels were indeed at the newer post office on Milton Ave.

So armed with this knowledge that’s exactly where I headed. And sure enough I could have kicked my self for not being as thorough as I usually am. I must have been lazy or it must have been a Sunday during my original visit. I can’t think of any other reason why I would not have checked the sales counter area but I didn’t.

Anyway, I was able to visit yet again and bring these to you. It was really hard to photograph them. Because they are aluminum panels it’s difficult to work with the reflections. It didn’t matter what angle I tried to photograph it, I ended up with some portion of the panel having reflections from the lights. Anyway, maybe someday I’ll bring a better camera and try to figure out what other settings or lens’ to use for better quality photographs. If anyone has suggestions with photographing under these conditions I’d really like to hear your suggestions. There are several instances where this has been a challenge, so I’d really like to learn the best way to photograph them.

I was immediately taken back by the size of this post office. I was amazed at the size of this building. It was also very busy when I was there. I ended up waiting around for at least a half hour before I could get a good close up of the front entrance.  I must have look odd as several people stopped to stare at me but strangely never said anything.

The reason I call myself a freak, is because I’m guessing that is what people must be thinking when they just stare at me. Or maybe they just wish they were as cool as me. Either way I get the looks.

Thanks for reading

David W. Gates Jr.

Updated August 18, 2013,

I must have driving a dozen times through Janesville always wondering about the artwork from the old building. Early on it never occurred to me the art would be in the actual retail counter area is located. But that is exactly what I found one weekend in August 2013 as I was doing more research. I discovered the location of the original post office on Dodge St. when I stopped in what is now the Arrow Library Center I was told the panels were in the new building on Milton St. So Naturally I had investigate and drove back to this building.

Sure enough, along the walls of the small sales counter section are the old aluminum panels that once resided in the former post office on dodge st. I was denied this day from photographing them and told to return and contact the post master. I wasn’t in any hurry since Janesville is not all that far from me. Yes, I would have liked to get them on this day but I already had plans to visit another one during this road trip, so I didn’t push the issues. So stay turned, I hope to get these soon.

Sources

• Personal visit on 3/13/2012,  8/24/2013 and 8/31/2013 by David, Post Office Fans
• Wisconsin Post Office Murals by David W. Gates Jr.
• Wisconsin 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
• Staff of the Arrowhead Library System
• Parma Conservation (https://parmaconservation.com)