Old Middletown Post Office

U.S. Post Office
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
As used by Liberty Bank, 2012
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Location	291 Main St., Middletown, Connecticut
Coordinates	41°33′36″N72°39′1″W / 41.56000°N 72.65028°W / 41.56000; -72.65028
Area	0.1 acres (0.040 ha)
Built	1916
Architect	Office of the Supervising Architect under James A. Wetmore
Architectural style	Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals, Second Renaissance Revival
Part of	Main Street Historic District (ID83001275)
NRHP reference No.	82004338 [1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	April 12, 1982
Designated CP	June 30, 1983

The Old Middletown Post Office, in Middletown, Connecticut, also known as the U.S. Post Office, was built in 1916. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1982. The building is also on the NRHP as a contributing property of the Main Street Historic District.

History

In 1911, the United States Government decided to build a new post office facility in Middletown. Preparations for construction began shortly thereafter. Together these three buildings give this section of the central business district a solid and classical look. The selection of the building's location was a topic of much controversy. The government finally chose this location, federally owned since 1841, in the center of Middletown's commercial and financial district. It is located on the south west corner of Court and Main Streets facing the Connecticut River. Across Court Street to the north is the massive Liberty Bank building and to its south across a parking lot; is the Bank of America building.

Contemporary sources indicate that the new post office was a source of civic pride for the citizens of Middletown. The old post office ceased operation in 1977, ending 136 years of federal use of that site. Liberty Bank uses this building as office space and keeps the building in good condition.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on April 12, 1982. ^[1] The building is also on the NRHP as a contributing property of the Main Street Historic District. ^[2]

Architecture

This is a fine, two-story example of the Renaissance Revival style. The building is made of limestone using a structural system of load bearing masonry. Its facade of smooth limestone distinguished it in a city center where brick and Portland brownstone were the common building materials. The classical facade displays a two-story arrangement of arched windows and pilasters supporting an elaborate entablature. The interior features a large two story open lobby. It was designed by the Office of the Supervising Architect under James A. Wetmore and built by W. H. Frissell & Co. of New York City.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Middletown, Connecticut
• List of United States post offices

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form - Main Street District, Middletown, Connecticut.

• Middletown, Connecticut Historical and Architectural Resources. Volume III, Card Number 167. Elizabeth Loomis. June, 1978.