2. The General Post Office in the Bronx

One of Shahn’s murals in the Bronx General Post Office

In 1938, the United States Postal Service commissioned Ben Shahn and his wife–a part of a New Deal program that employed artists nationwide to produce large scale works of art in public buildings–to complete a mural in the main Bronx branch. Continuing upon the theme of worker’s prowess and inspired by Walt Whitman, Shahn crafted a mural entitled Resources of America depicting the American worker.

In 2013 the postal service stated that they would sell off the building, as has been done with several others nationwide. However, at the end of 2013 the interior of the post office was awarded landmark status and the building, along with its mural, was saved. The General Post Office was included in our list of 8 Architectural Gems along the Bronx’s Grand Concourse.