From Doris MacFarquhar, Monday Club Publicist
In an unusual and interesting meeting this week, the Monday Club visited the Wellsville Post Office, and took a close look at the architecture, history and operation of the building. This construction photo, facing south, is dated September 1, 1932.
Supervisor Samantha Phillips and other staff members pointed out the beautiful, original brass and marble construction in the lobby of the building, which opened in 1933. The writing tables, and windows are original fixtures, and the Art Deco style also features an ornate ceiling design, and two art works showing historic events at each end of the lobby. Few patrons take time to observe the details of the Seneca Victory or the Jemison Alliance.
The building was constructed during the time of Roosevelt’s WPA programs, for $87,000, a value of $2.5 to 3.5 million in today’s dollars . There are two large safes, much basement storage, areas for Postal Inspectors, an office for the Post Master (currently Ian Thompson) and the main work room behind the customer service counters, filled with many sorting stations, and rows of plastic lined bins for boxes and bulky products, a large and orderly work space.
Asbestos abatement was done in 1986, and new flooring installed. Outbound mail service leaves the building at 2:30 and 5:30 and goes to Rochester. Incoming mail from there is delivered to other locations such as Hornell, Scio, and Belmont, as well as here. Amazon has added some delivery problems, including trucks larger than the designed arrival area, and the postal service now provides a lot of their final local deliveries.
The Post Office building, now over 90 Years old, has been included in the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation area here in Wellsville. That listing recognizes the importance of the building to our history and provides it with a measure of protection.
