Post offices with artwork.

Berne Indiana Post Office

November 30, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 215 W. Main St., Berne, Indiana 46711
ARTIST: Walter Gardner
TITLE: Christmas Morning Mail
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Berne post office is still an active, operating facility. However, the mural is reported missing, lost or destroyed. It previously resided in the lobby on a wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1937

Where do I start with this one? The first thing I noticed is the addition of a gable roof on this post office. How do I know that? Well, didn’t but after visiting and viewing the exterior and interior, I’m able to determine the roof is NOT original.

Fast forward after my visit, didi a little research and indeed found some historical images of the building with-out the gable roof. I wonder when it was added? I wonder under what circumstances the post office would need additional space on the second floor. I wonder what is up there now? Maybe the lost mural?

The postal staff, present at the time of my visit had very little knowledge or at least did not offer up more than simples answers to my questions regarding the building and mural.

Second, there is no mural on display above the postmaster’s door. I’ve included the lobby images in the gallery below to show what it looks like today. We know the mural was oil on canvas, so that means it was removed when the lobby was updated or maybe when the second floor and gable roof was added.

This would be a great story to learn more about. I’m looking forward to digging up more on this one. But if anyone out there has knows more about it, please comment below.

David W. Gates Jr.

Berne IN PO Mural — Berne, Indiana Post Office Mural, Christmas Morning Mail. Walter Gardner

Sources

Personal visit on 11/23/21 about 2:04 and 10/18/2022 about 10:20 am PM by David W. Gates Jr.
Indiana 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
(affiliate link): A Simple and Vital Design: The Story of the Indiana Post Office Murals: John C. Carlisle

North Manchester Indiana Post Office

November 29, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 202 E 2nd St, North Manchester, Indiana 46962
ARTIST: Alan Tompkins
TITLE: Indiana Farm – Sunday Afternoon
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The North Manchester 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: 1935

I hadn’t planned on stopping here, but there was still daylight when I finished up in Berne. I’m delighted I made it here as the sun was setting.

What a great looking building. I love the decorative brick elements on the facade. I have no idea what they are called, but the stamp looking bricks above the windows are unique.

David W. Gates Jr.

North Manchester IN Post Office 46962 Mural Right

North Manchester IN Post Office 46962 Mural Left

North Manchester IN Post Office 46962 Mural Center

North Manchester IN Post Office 46962 Lobby

North Manchester IN Post Office 46962 Cornerstone

North Manchester IN Post Office 46962 Mural Detail

North Manchester IN Post Office 46962 Mural

North Manchester IN Post Office 46962 Mural Signature

Sources

Personal visit on 11/23/21 about 5:15 PM and 06/30/2023 about 12:57 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
Indiana 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
(affiliate link): A Simple and Vital Design: The Story of the Indiana Post Office Murals: John C. Carlisle
Parma Conservation (https://parmaconservation.com)

Union City Indiana Post Office

November 28, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 102 W. Pearl St., Union City, Indiana 47390
ARTIST: Donald M. Mattison
TITLE: Country Cousins
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Union 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 a wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1935

Union City is a perfect example of the lighting I prefer when I arrive for a site visit. The sun is shinning perfectly on the front of the building. I have deep blue skies. This is the perfect scenario and thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Union City.

In addition to have a great mural, Union City also has some great historical photos on display. Someone also took the time to create a wonderful bulletin board of postal history. This is a nice touch for visitors.

As info, the reason all the images of the old photos are on an angle was to avoid the glare. Each picture was in a glass frame. This made it difficult to photograph and see the old photo. Taking my pictures at various angles helped to eliminate the glare and allow us to see more of the old photos.

David W. Gates Jr.