Post offices with artifacts

Gloucester City New Jersey Post Office

June 5, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 113 S. Broadway, Gloucester City, New Jersey 08030
ARTIST: Vincent D´ Agostino
TITLE: The Perils of the Mail
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Gloucester City 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: 1935

How would you photograph this mural? With the hanging light fixture right in the middle, obstructing a full view made this a difficult one to work with?

In this case, what I like to do is get the left and right sides of the mural and then shoot the middle section of the mural from the side, It’s an angle shot but the alternative is to have a straight on shot with the light hanging in the way.

It would be nice the the USPS could spend some time and effort to raise the light fixtures so everyone can enjoy the murals as they were meant to be enjoyed, with no obstructions.

The sun was also setting behind and off to the left side of this building by the time I arrived. This also makes it a bit of a challenge when attempting to photograph in to the sun. I always prefer the sun shining on the front face of the buildings.

David W. Gates Jr.

Gloucester City New Jersey Post Office 08030 Artifacts

Gloucester City New Jersey Post Office 08030 Cornerstone

Gloucester City New Jersey Post Office 08030 Mural Left

Gloucester City New Jersey Post Office 08030 Mural

Gloucester City New Jersey Post Office 08030

Gloucester City New Jersey Post Office 08030 Mural Right

Gloucester City New Jersey Post Office 08030 Mural Center

Gloucester City New Jersey Post Office 08030 Lobby

Sources

Personal visit on 5/19/21 about 3:14 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
(affiliate link) New Jersey 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

Washington New Jersey Post Office

June 5, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 36 Belvidere Ave., Washington, New Jersey 07882
ARTIST: Frank D. Shapiro
TITLE: A Rising in Early New Jersey
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Washington 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

Another closed lobby as I arrived after hours. Darn! I was really hoping to see this one. I feel like Washington is a nicer area or neighborhood and that the building would be open. I took my chances and decided to head out later in the day. Turns out that was not the best decision for this one.

Oh well, I guess I’ll have to come back. Darn! just not sure when I’ll get the chance. But at least I have the exterior images of the building. Partial success.

Trying to get those cornerstone images is sometime a real challenge. In this case, I had to move into the bushes, hold back the branches and try to get a some-what level photograph. This was about as good as I could get.

UPDATE

During my road trip in August of 2021 I was able to re-visit this one. I made it a point to visit during business hours so I could get inside. What a treat, and wha a great mural. Plus you have some nice historical artifacts and write-ups in the bulletin board. Very cool! I also love the bring facade of this one.

David W. Gates Jr.

Washington New Jersey Post Office 07882 Mural Detail

Washington New Jersey Post Office 07882 Mural Center

Washington New Jersey Post Office 07882 Mural Left

Washington New Jersey Post Office 07882 Mural Right

Washington New Jersey Post Office 07882 Mural Full

Washington New Jersey Post Office 07882 Artifact

Washington New Jersey Post Office 07882 Cornerstone

Sources

Personal visit on 5/22/21 about 4:06 PM and 8/11/2021 about 2:43 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
(affiliate link) New Jersey 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

Haddon Heights New Jersey Post Office

June 4, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 701 Station Ave., Haddon Heights, New Jersey 08035
ARTIST: Isamu Noguchi
TITLE: The Letter
MEDIUM: Stone (sculpture)
STATUS: The Haddon Heights post office is still an active, operating facility, and the sculpture can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1935

Haddon Heights has done a wonderful job preserving and showcasing the importance of this interesting work of art. What a treat to see this done so nicely. There is a plaque outside the building for pedestrians to see and read about the work before even heading inside. What a great concept, one I wish more communities would take an interest in.

David W. Gates Jr.