7. Canal Street Post Office

The Canal Street Post Office is located on the southeast corner of Canal Street and Church Street. The building was constructed in 1937 in the Art Moderne style, in the same vein as the main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. The building contains an outstanding Art Deco bas relief designed by Wheeler Williams and installed in 1938.

Williams’ art can be seen across the country, though most New Yorkers will be familiar with his bas relief of Venus on the facade of the Parke-Bernet Galleries building on Madison Avenue. The image, which is reminiscent of Rockefeller Center‘s artwork, depicts a Native American pictured in a majestic pose with his bow aimed towards the heavens surrounded by the stars, the Moon, and Saturn.