Steuart Blakemore Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Steuart Blakemore Building |
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The Steuart Blakemore Building, Lancaster, Virginia
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| Former names | The Old Post Office |
| General information | |
| Type | Old Post Office |
| Location | Lancaster, Virginia |
| Town or city | Lancaster, Virginia |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 37°46′11.8″N 76°27′54.3″W / 37.769944°N 76.465083°W |
| Construction started | 1900 |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Timber frame, wood siding |
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Steuart Blakemore Building
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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View of the Lancaster Court House Historic District, including Lancaster Court House and the Steuart Blakemore Building
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| Location | VA 3, Lancaster, Virginia |
| Part of | Lancaster Court House Historic District (ID83003286) |
| Designated CP | August 11, 1983 |
The Steuart Blakemore Building is a special place in Lancaster, Virginia. It was built in 1900 and first served as the town's Post Office until 1931. Today, it is a museum and a place where historical records are kept. It is part of the Mary Ball Washington Museum and Library.
This building is one of five important buildings in the Lancaster Court House Historic District. Other buildings in this group include the Old Jail (built in 1820), the Clerk's Office (around 1797), and Lancaster House.
The museum welcomes visitors to see its exhibits and learn about history. You can also take part in educational programs. The museum helps people discover the rich stories of the Northern Neck area of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. In recent years, the building has also been used to store museum collections and as an office for a local history book committee.
History of the Building
The Steuart Blakemore Building was constructed around 1900. A lawyer named Harvey Gresham had it built. He used the front part of the building as the post office. His own law office was in the back. Before this building, Lancaster did not have an official post office. Mail was usually delivered to local taverns or stores.
After a new Post Office was built in the 1950s, this building became known as "The Old Post Office."
In 1983, the building received an important recognition. It was named a National Historic Landmark. This was part of the larger Lancaster Court House Historic District.
In 1986, the building was given as a gift to the museum. The person who donated it was George H. Steuart. He grew up in Lancaster County. Mr. Steuart was a diplomat who worked for the United States in other countries. He retired as a consul in Liverpool, England. He bought the building in 1981. He named it to honor his parents, George H. Steuart (a local doctor) and Irene Blakemore.
