United States Post Office (Oyster Bay, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
US Post Office--Oyster Bay
|
|
 |
|
 Location in New York
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Oyster Bay, New York |
|---|---|
| Built | 1935 |
| Architect | Bottomley, Wagner & White; Peixotto, Ernest |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| MPS | US Post Offices in New York State, 1858-1943, TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002393 |
| Added to NRHP | May 11, 1989 |
The Oyster Bay Post Office in Oyster Bay, New York, was finished in 1936. This building was designed by New York architect William Bottomley. He made it look like the Oyster Bay Town Hall across the street.
Inside, you can see amazing paintings called murals by the famous American artist Ernest Peixotto. These murals show important moments in Oyster Bay's history from 1653 to 1936, when the Post Office was built. This building is recognized as an important historical place on the National Register of Historic Places. You can also find it on the Oyster Bay History Walk.
History of the Post Office Building
The very first Post Office in Oyster Bay was in Ezra Minor’s house around 1800. This was on East Main Street. Over the years, there were at least three other Post Office buildings in Oyster Bay village before this one.
The current building was completed in 1936. It was designed to be beautiful, with a special focus on art and architecture. Architect William Bottomley made sure it looked like the Town Hall across the street. He hired two well-known artists to decorate it with historical paintings and sculptures. This work was part of the Treasury Relief Art Project. This was a government program that helped artists find work during a tough economic time.
The famous American artist and author Ernest Peixotto was asked to paint five large murals. These murals are like a visual tour of Oyster Bay's history. They show scenes from 1653 up to 1936.
Arthur Sturges, who worked with Peixotto, painted the curved ceiling. It shows beautiful women who represent different countries. They are sending mail to North America by ships and planes. Mercury, a speedy messenger from old stories, is shown on top of the dome. He is ready to quickly get the mail.
Leo Lentelli, a famous Italian sculptor, created the clay panels above the inside doorways. His art is in many public buildings across America. These panels show different continents using animal symbols. On the Africa/Oceania panel, the dates 1858 and 1919 are about the years Theodore Roosevelt lived. On the Asia/America panel, the date 1902 is about when Roosevelt came back to Oyster Bay as President. The year 1936 is when the Post Office was built.
Lentelli also made a statue of Theodore Roosevelt's head and shoulders. He also created an amazing stone base for the flagpole outside the Post Office. After a large stone was put in place, Lentelli built a small wooden shelter around it. He worked all winter in 1936 to carve the cool seahorses, dolphins, and shells you see today.
-
William Leverich discusses the treaty with the Indians, 1653.
-
George Washington at the Youngs' House Oyster Bay, 1790.
-
James Caldwell, First Postmaster and First Post Office, Oyster Bay, established about 1800.
-
Theodore Roosevelt with his children at Sagamore Hill, 1899.
-
Spring afternoon at Piping Rock, 1936.
