United States Post Office–Somerville Main facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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US Post Office-Somerville Main
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Somerville, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1935 |
| Architect | Simon, Louis A.; Et al. |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001247 |
| Added to NRHP | May 30, 1986 |
The US Post Office—Somerville Main is a historic building in Somerville, Massachusetts. It is located at 237 Washington Street in Union Square. This building was completed in 1936. It was built during a difficult time called the Great Depression. The government started a program called the Public Works Administration to create jobs. This post office was part of that effort.
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About the Somerville Post Office
This building is two and a half stories tall. It has a strong steel frame inside. The outside is covered in brick, laid in a special pattern called Flemish bond. It also has fancy limestone decorations. The roof is flat on top with sloped sides.
Building's Design
The front of the building is five sections wide. The middle section sticks out a little. It has a triangular top part called a gable. The main entrance is set back slightly. It has modern glass doors. Above the doors is a large, rounded fanlight window. There is also a small window in the gable section. This window is called an oriel window.
Inside the Building
When you walk inside, you enter the public lobby. There is a small entry area right at the main doors. This area is a half-floor lower than the main lobby. Stairs go up from the entrance to the left and right. The wood in this area matches other wood in the lobby. The floors in the lobby and entry are made of different colors of marble. The lower parts of the walls are also covered in marble.
A Historic Painting
On the upper part of the east lobby wall, there is a large painting. It is called A Skirmish between British and Colonists near Somerville in Revolutionary Times. The artist, Ross Moffett, painted it in 1937. The painting was ordered by a government art program. It shows a small fight that happened in the Union Square area. This event was part of the 1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord. These battles were the start of the American Revolutionary War.
A Recognized Landmark
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. This means it is recognized as an important historical site. In 2017, the Post Office sold the building. It is now the main office for RightHand Robotics. This company works on robotic technology.
