Former Salem Illinois Post Office

ADDRESS: 217 West Main Street, Salem, Illinois 62881
ARTIST: Vladimir Rousseff
TITLE: Lincoln as Postmaster in New Sale
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The former Salem post office is now a local business. The mural was relocated to local library and can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in a conference room.
YEAR: 1938

What was once a post office is now the home to Raymond James. Since it was a weekend when I visited I was not able to view the inside of the building. I like the patriotic sign in front of the building and above the door.

The mural was moved to the local library and I just made it in time before closing on the Saturday I visited. I must publicly thank the staff of the Salem library for allowing me access to the mural. I know it was just before closing but I can’t thank you enough, especially since I drove so far to view it.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Since the mural was moved to the new Library it appears it is only accessible to viewers who ask. It’s not in the open for all to see. It’s tucked in an employee conference room in the back of the building.

Luckily I was able to view this before the library was closing for the day. What do you think of this mural. Please comment and share below.

 

“Used with the permission of the Bryan – Bennett Public Library”

Sources

• Personal visit on 5/02/2015 by David W. Gates Jr.
• (affiliate link) Illinois Post Office Mural Guidebook 
• (affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover]  Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
• Bryan-Bennett Public Library (https://www.salembbl.lib.il.us)