ADDRESS: 501 Delaware St, New Castle, DE 19720
ARTISTS: J. Scott Williams
TITLE: William Penn Welcomed at New Castle
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The New Castle 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: 1938
Check out all those overgrown bushes in the from the building. Why do I point that out? Well, because there is a cornerstone somewhere behind them.
And yes, this one was tricky to photograph. I did end up crawling into the bushes to photograph the cornerstone. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
I’m delighted the building is in such great shape and well cared for. These are just some of the things I notice as I drive around Delaware. It seems the older buildings have been well preserved and that makes me happy.
David W. Gates Jr.
Sources
- Personal visit on 8/14/21 about 4:40 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
- (affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal
: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
- United States Postal Service
- Smithsonian National Postal Museum: William Penn Welcomed by the People of New Castle | National Postal Museum (si.edu)
Hi to everyone who appreciates the beauty of fine architecture done in the 1930’s at our nations local historic post offices. I have been blessed to work here for 22 years and can share the workmanship of our office is bar none. The detail, fine solid woodwork, glass, the marble, tiles, the intricate moldings, the old bathroom fixtures are still intact…with their original designs and workmanship whispering gently of fond memories of the bye and bye. Myself originally from Philadelphia…the painting of William Penn and the local Lenape Indians comes alive…imagining the sweet simplicity of how loving kindness for one another speaks to our hearts that with God, all things are possible…and back from the city of brotherly love to the shores of the Delaware River…our founders traveled miles to bring peace instead of war. The building stands as an example to the past…where integrity, instilled by character made a statement that there is value to working for the betterment of caring about each other, rather than today’s it’s all about me mentality. Please visit our historic New Castle, Delaware and stop in our post office to view a truly wonderful masterpiece of the past. Much love and blessings to you and all those in your hearts, And much gratitude to you David for taking such wonderful pictures and showing that you know the importance of really what America stands for…justice for all…A.R.C.
Thanks Alisa,
I was truly impressed with the upkeep and maintenance of the New Castle building. Your mural is also very impressive. I enjoyed my time in New Castle, but dang that cornerstone was a bit of a challenge with those great big evergreen bushes out in front. Anyway to get the landscaper to cut them back a bit? LOL
Regardless, its a great building and I’m glad you also appreciate the beauty and what the old buildings represent. Its a piece of history that is getting lost in today’s world.
As info, the mayor of the Fort Lee, building and council members want to demolish there building. Its has much the same character as your New Castle, building. If you have any connections in the Fort Lee, New Jersey area, we could surely use some help in saving this building.
Have a great day and thanks for the comment.
David W. Gates Jr.