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Walking into the Springfield, OH, Post Office is like entering a 1934 time warp. The art deco interior has been uncovered and the community recently celebrated the building’s rebirth with an open house and reception.
“We uncovered and conserved – and did everything in our power to restore to the original condition,” said Tom Schick, Postal Service Facilities Engineer with the Eastern Facilities Service Office in Columbus. “So many different disciplines went into this building. From the metal shields on the ceiling molding to the walnut inlay in oak parquet floor with brass toe kicks. It’s so well constructed and unique.”
Restoration included two Herman
Wessel murals, the original wood floors and other parts of the building; the
Post Office now looks as it did nearly eight decades ago.
Sue Vanzant said she knew about the 7-foot murals by the Cincinnati artist when she was appointed Springfield Postmaster more than eight years ago. “They were hidden under a drop ceiling, but it took two years before I was hooked up with a good project manager representing the Postal Service,” she said. “I will be forever indebted to Tom Schick.”
The murals — part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Federal Art Project — honor Springfield’s publishing and agriculture industries. During the 1970s oil crisis the murals were covered by lowered ceilings to conserve energy.
The murals hang in what used to be the main area of the Post Office where customers could come and talk to the superintendent if they had any concerns about their mail. Following restoration by Parma Conservation of Chicago, they are now being seen by the public for the first time in 35 years.
Springfield Postmaster Sue Vanzant and USPS Facilities Engineer Tom Schick
The building’s architect was W.K. Shilling. His granddaughter, Anne Wilson of Louisville, KY, and her son Chris Snyder, wanted to be part of the event. “I remember driving by this building with my mother as a child,” said Wilson. “However, today is the first time I’ve stepped foot in the building. It’s just beautiful.”
“The building is a complete work of architecture designed in Frank Lloyd Wright’s manner,” said Kevin Rose, president of Preservation Alliance in Springfield. “What’s neat about the building is it looks like a Post Office, not a bank or insurance company, but a Post Office.
“It’s very American,” Rose said.
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