Bristol Customshouse and Post Office facts for kids
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Bristol Customshouse and Post Office
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Bristol Customshouse and Post Office in 2013
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 Location in Rhode Island
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bristol, Rhode Island |
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| Built | 1858 |
| Architect | Ammi B. Young |
| Part of | Bristol Waterfront Historic District (ID75000053) |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000015 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 31, 1972 |
| Designated CP | March 18, 1975 |
The Bristol Customshouse and Post Office is an old, important building in Bristol, Rhode Island. It was once used as a post office and a customshouse. A customshouse was a place where government officials collected taxes on goods coming into the country.
This building was designed by a famous architect named Ammi B. Young. It was finished in 1858. The building cost about $22,135.75 to build back then. It is made of deep red bricks and has a special look called Italian palazzo style. This style makes it look like a grand Italian palace.
The building is about 46 feet (14 m) long and 32 feet (9.8 m) wide. It has two floors, each with three large arched openings. These arches are decorated with sandstone. The middle arch on the first floor is the main entrance. The other arches hold big windows with iron bars.
The second floor is even more fancy. It has a small iron balcony. The top part of the building also has detailed decorations. The sides and back of the building look similar to the front.
The building was no longer used in 1962. The Young Men's Christian Association bought it in 1964. They used it for many years. Today, the building is used for offices. It is a special example of Italian palazzo architecture. Because of its history and design, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
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What Does the Building Look Like?
The Bristol Customshouse and Post Office was built in 1858. It was designed by Ammi B. Young. The building sits on a raised base made of granite. It is a two-story building made of deep red bricks.
The front of the building has three big arched openings on both floors. Grayish sandstone outlines these arches. This stone also forms a clear line between the first and second floors. The arches stick out a bit from the building. The middle arch on the first floor is the main entrance. The other arches have large windows with iron bars.
The second floor has a small iron balcony. This balcony is held up by iron brackets. The top part of the building is heavily decorated. The roof is low and flat, so you can only see it from far away. The sides and back of the building look like the front. They have similar arches, but some are just decorative and don't have windows.
Changes Over Time
Old photos show that the building has changed over the years. A picture from the 1860s shows small, triangular windows on the roof. These are called pedimented dormers. It is believed these were added and then removed later. A postcard from 1920 also shows these dormers.
Old photos also show two chimneys on the front of the building. Today, only one chimney remains at the back. The building was not well-maintained in 1971.
Inside, the front area was where postal workers sorted mail. It also had mailboxes. You can still see the original iron columns inside. The floors were changed over time. However, the stairs to the second floor might still have their original tiles.
The second floor was used for customs work. It had a large room with high ceilings, about 17 feet (5.2 m) tall. This room had seven large windows with iron frames. It also had a big wooden door and a simple marble fireplace. The building's supports are in the basement. Granite piers hold up iron beams that support the first floor.
How the Building Was Used
The Bristol Customshouse and Post Office served as a post office and a customshouse. It was used for these purposes until 1962. Records show that the government spent money on repairs in the early 1900s.
In 1964, the Young Men's Christian Association bought the building. It was connected to a YMCA swimming pool. The YMCA used the building as a waiting area until 1990. After that, it was remodeled. Now, the building is used for offices.
Why This Building is Important
The Bristol Customshouse and Post Office is very important historically. It shows a time when the Italian palazzo style of architecture became popular again. The architect, Ammi B. Young, designed many buildings for the United States government. He was known for his Greek Revival style. But his designs changed as new styles became popular.
Young also designed the United States Customshouse in Providence, Rhode Island. That building was designed a year before this one. However, the Providence building looked more like a classical Greek temple.
The Bristol Customshouse and Post Office is a great example of the Italian palazzo style. This style is not very common in Bristol. The town has many beautiful buildings from different time periods. This building reminds us that Bristol was once a very busy seaport in the Northeast.
