United States Post Office, Courthouse, and Customhouse (Wilmington, Delaware)

U.S. Post Office, Courthouse, and Customhouse
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
Former Post Office, Courthouse and Customhouse
Show map of Delaware Show map of the United States
Interactive map showing the location of the U.S. Post Office, Courthouse, and Customhouse, Wilmington
Location	11th and Market Sts., Wilmington, Delaware
Coordinates	39°44′48″N75°32′48″W / 39.74667°N 75.54667°W / 39.74667; -75.54667
Area	1.3 acres (0.53 ha)
Built	1933-35, 1937
Built by	Irwin & Leighton
Architect	Associated Federal Architects
Architectural style	Classical Revival
Part of	Rodney Square Historic District (ID11000522 [1] )
NRHP reference No.	79000638 [2]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	June 14, 1979
Designated CP	March 24, 2017

The U.S. Post Office, Courthouse, and Customhouse, also known as Main Post Office and the Wilmington Trust Headquarters, is a historic post office, courthouse, and custom house, located on Rodney Square in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

History

Postcard showing building, c. 1930-45

The U.S. Post Office, Courthouse, and Customhouse was designed by the Associated Federal Architects in 1933–1935 and built by Irwin & Leighton. ^[3] The building was completed in 1937 on 11th and Market Streets on Rodney Square in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware. ^[3] In addition to historically being a post office, courthouse, and custom house, it is currently the headquarters of Wilmington Trust.

Wilmington Trust Building

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 14, 1979. ^[2] It is also designated as a contributing property of the Rodney Square Historic District on March 24, 2017.

Architecture

The U.S. Post Office, Courthouse, and Customhouse is in Classical Revival style. ^[3] It is a three-story, cut stone structure with six large stone pillars across the main entrance. ^[3] the gross building area is 104,669 sq. ft. ^[3]

Its interior lobby features Art Moderne style with marble columns, marble floors, and two murals. ^[3] The courtroom is also in Art Modern style in chandeliers, judge's bench, lawyers' tables, and jury box. ^[3] There is also a Works Progress Administration (WPA) painting behind the judge's box. ^[3] There are three WPA painting in the post office. ^[3]

A vertical modern addition now emerges from the historic facade.

See also

• Old Customshouse (Wilmington, Delaware)
• Wilmington Trust Newark Branch
• List of United States federal courthouses in Delaware
• List of United States post offices
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Wilmington, Delaware

References

1. Ferguson, Logan I. (September 30, 2010). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Rodney Square Historic District". National Archives . National Register of Historic Places . Retrieved May 25, 2024.
2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
3. Charles A. Preston, Jr. (August 1978). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: U.S. Post Office, Courthouse, and Customhouse". and Accompanying 15 photos