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.
“Used with the permission of the United States Postal Service®. All rights reserved.”
Sources
- Personal visit on 5/22/21 about 9:40 AM by David W. Gates Jr.
- (affiliate link) New Jersey Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
- NJ.com N.J. post offices showcase Depression-era public art – nj.com
- Dennis Dobson Wedding Photography Studio Denis Dobson Photography
- New Jersey dot com (U.S. Postal Service plans to sell antique Palmer Square post office in Princeton – nj.com)
- Save the post office (Historic Palmer Square post office in Princeton headed for sale – Save the Post Office)
- (affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
- Parma Conservation (https://parmaconservation.com)