Ventura Post Office collection, circa 1936 - 1977

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Summary

Abstract:
The Ventura Post Office collection is a set of materials that document the history of the Ventura Post Office building on Santa Clara Street since 1936. The current building was constructed in 1936 and expanded in 1966. Materials in this collection include newspaper clippings, certificates, memos, correspondence, a newsletter, employee rosters, architectural drafts, photographs, contracts with architectural firms, and reports. The materials are all related to the history and development of the Santa Clara Street building.
Extent:
1.28 Cubic Feet (1 box and 1 folder)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ventura Post Office collection, (Collection MVC089), Museum of Ventura County, Research Library, Ventura, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection includes newspaper clippings, certificates, memos, correspondence, a newsletter, employee rosters, architectural drafts, photographs, contracts with architectural firms, and reports. The materials are all related to the history and development of the Ventura Post Office on Santa Clara Street. The newspaper clippings include articles on criticism of the post office, Christmas-related events, general history, publicity initiatives, and events. The photographs mostly depict postal trucks and facilities, Christmas and office parties, post office-sponsored events, construction and improvements of the Santa Clara Street building.

The full contract includes all paperwork for the duration of the project and is labeled: Ventura, California U.S. Post Office Contracts and Specifications Project No. 93063/01237. There are also two copies of a report titled: Report of Foundation Investigation Proposed U.S. Post Office Addition. There were two binders and their contents have been foldered. The first was titled: Ventura, Calif. U.S. P.O. Contract GS-09D-C-1749-SF. It contains construction progress photographs for the Santa Clara Street building. The second binder was unlabeled and contained mostly photographs, but also included correspondence, news release, and clippings. The postmaster certificate is for Charles S. Catlin, postmaster of Saticoy.

Biographical / historical:

The current Ventura Post Office on the corner of Santa Clara and Fir Street was constructed in 1936. Prior to that, the post office was located at 377 East Main Street. In 1966 the post office completed a refurbishment and expansion project and inaugurated the new building on June 4. The building site was tripled in size to 18,700 square feet and over 20,000 square feet of a paved parking lot for mail trucks. The downtown post office also features a more than 100-foot mural that was painted by Gordon Grant as part of the Works Progress Administration's Federal Art Project in 1936-1937. The mural is oil and canvas and titled "Agriculture and Industries of Ventura". It depicts a dairy farm, field workers picking and packing citrus, horses, and oil field workers.

When the building was refurbished and expanded in 1966, artist Franz A. Trevors was hired to restore the mural. He told the Star-Free Press in 1966 that the mural had been damaged by the construction and sections of it had been cut away to make room for windows and bigger doorways. He restored the mural, although he had to complete sections that had been destroyed using the original artist's style as inspiration.

Processing information:

Processed by Krystell Jimenez, 2023.

Our collections are processed using MPLP methods so that we can prioritize access for users and identify potential priorities for more detailed processing. If while using our collections you think there is something that should be added or amended in the finding aid, we welcome your input. You can notify staff in the reading room or send us an email at library@venturamuseum.org Be sure to include the collection number and name and the box number you were working with in your email.

Arrangement:

This collection has no series. Folder labels are not the original labels. Original order of materials has been maintained. There were two binders and the materials in those binders have been foldered together.

Physical location:
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE: Stored off-site and advance notice is required for timely retrieval. Please request materials 2-3 days in advance. Researchers MUST make a research appointment on the Research Library website. Please make a note of the box numbers or container you are requesting.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. Advance requests can be made to Research Library staff via email.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the physical object belong to the Museum of Ventura County. Literary rights, including copyright, have not been determined. Contact the Research Library for further information: library@venturamuseum.org.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ventura Post Office collection, (Collection MVC089), Museum of Ventura County, Research Library, Ventura, California.

Location of this collection:
100 East Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001, US
Contact:
(805) 653-0323, ext 320
library@venturamuseum.org
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