United States Post Office (Camden, Maine) facts for kids
|
U.S. Post Office-Camden Main
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
 |
|
 Location in Maine
|
|
| Location | 28 Chestnut Street, Camden, Maine |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.3 acres (0.12 ha) |
| Built | 1913 |
| Architect | Oscar Wenderoth |
| Architectural style | Beaux Arts, Renaissance |
| Part of | Chestnut Street Historic District (ID91000325) |
| NRHP reference No. | 86002960 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | September 25, 1986 |
| Designated CP | March 22, 1991 |
The U.S. Post Office-Camden Main is the main post office building in Camden, Maine. You can find it at 28 Chestnut Street. This special building was designed by Oscar Wenderoth in a style called Beaux Arts. It was finished in 1913. Because of its beautiful design, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. This means it's an important historic place!
Contents
What Makes This Building Special?
Camden's main post office is located at the edge of the town's shopping area. It sits on the east side of Chestnut Street. Across the street is the town common, a nice open space.
A Closer Look at the Outside
This post office is a single-story building. It is made from strong brick and granite. The roof is low and sloped, with a decorative edge called a cornice. The front of the building is wide, with seven sections. The middle five sections stick out a little. Tall, narrow windows are set into openings trimmed with granite. Above each window is a fancy, round decoration. The main entrance is in the middle, set back a bit. You walk up a few low steps to get inside. Old-fashioned iron globe lights stand on either side of the steps.
Stepping Inside the Post Office
When you go inside, you'll see a public area with a shiny floor. This floor is made of a special material called terrazzo marble. The walls are smooth plaster. They have decorative columns, called pilasters, that make them look grand. The wooden parts inside, like the trim, are made of oak.
A Bit of History
The Camden Post Office was one of 33 post office buildings built in 1913. The United States government paid for these buildings. This happened because of a special law called the Tarsney Act. Congress also approved money for it in 1912.
This building was one of the first designs by Oscar Wenderoth. He had just started a new job in 1912. He worked for the U.S. Treasury Department as a top architect. The Camden Post Office is the only major building in town that shows off the Beaux Arts or Renaissance Revival style. These styles are known for being grand and classical.
