Parma Conservation

Alexandria Indiana Post Office

November 9, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 205 W. Church St., Alexandria, Indiana 46001
ARTIST: Roland Schweinsburg
TITLE: The Sleighing Party
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Alexandria 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 a wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1938

I took another road trip in November of 2021. The days were getting shorter and I was limited with daylight. I arrived in Alexandria a little after 5 PM and it was already getting dark. This was my last stop of the day before I headed home.

Needless to say, I took a few images of the building in the dark. Funny thing the church across the street has a neon light that changes. It also cast the blue and purple shadow of light on the front of the building.

The lobby was also closed so I need to return for the mural images.

UPDATE

I was able to make another trip to Alexandria in November of 2021. The weather was chilly, but I arrived during daylight hours and got some better images. This particular road trip was also during the week and the post office as open.

Alexandria is special in that not only does it have a depression-era mural, but there is also a mural done in the 1970s by a former postal supervisor. More about that later.

I’m also digging the floor mat, I haven’t seen too many of those customized with the name of the town on it. A very nice touch.

UPDATE

Another visit on June 30, 2023 allowed me better images of the front of the building.

David W. Gates Jr.

Alexandria IN Post Office 46001 Cornerstone

Alexandria IN Post Office 46001 Mural Right

Alexandria IN Post Office 46001 Mural Left

Alexandria IN Post Office 46001 Mural Center

Alexandria IN Post Office 46001 Mural Signature

Alexandria IN Post Office 46001 Mural Detail

Sources

Personal visit on 11/7/21 about 5:13 PM & 11/23/2021 at 8:42 AM & 06/30/2023 at 8:50 AM by David W. Gates Jr.
Indiana Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
(affiliate link): A Simple and Vital Design: The Story of the Indiana Post Office Murals: John C. Carlisle
Parma Conservation (https://parmaconservation.com)

Attica Indiana Post Office

September 29, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 107 E Main St, Attica, IN 47918
ARTIST: Reva Jackman
TITLE: Trek of the Covered Wagons to Indiana
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Attica post office is still an active, operating facility, and the mural can be viewed by interested members of the pubic. It resides in the lobby on a wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1938

I’m grateful for the wonderful weather, blue skies when I visited the Attica, Indiana post office. Unfortunately, the lobby is closed on Sunday’s and I was not able to see the mural. I’ll have to plan another trip.

Note to self: plan your next trip during business hours so you can see the mural.

Update, I was able to re-visit this one in February 2022 during business hours. I love the display case they have in the lobby. It has some great post office memorabilia from the past. Great historical display.

David W. Gates Jr.

Attica IN Post Office 47918 Mural Signature

Sources

Personal visit on 9/26/21 about 9:35 AM & 02/19/2022 about 8:03 AM by David W. Gates Jr.
Indiana Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
Hoosier Happenings Hoosier Happenings: From Attica to Monticello by mail & canvas
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
(affiliate link) A Simple and Vital Design: The Story of the Indiana Post Office Murals: John C. Carlisle
Parma Conservation (https://parmaconservation.com)

Princeton New Jersey Former Post Office

July 11, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 20 Palmer Square E, Princeton, New Jersey 08542
ARTIST: Karl Free
TITLE: Columbia Under the Palm
MEDIUM: Oil and tempera (mural)
STATUS: The former Princeton post office is no longer an active, operating facility. The building is now privately owned, restricting access to the public. The mural has been reported to still be in the building. It previously resided on a wall in the main lobby.
YEAR: 1932

Prior to my recent trip, I knew the old Princeton, New Jersey post office was privately owned. All research I did also mentioned the mural still being in the building.

However, after visiting and seeing the loading dock, it seems to be undergoing renovations. If you peak inside you can also see the lobby under construction.

Which makes me wonder if the mural is indeed still in the lobby. Because of the large trees in the front and the impromptu lunch setup in front, it was next to impossible to get a good image from directly in front of the building, even if there were no people. the large trees cover up the front.

David W. Gates Jr.