Plymouth Post Office Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1913-1914 at the corner of Main and Leyden Streets in Plymouth, this former post office was designed under Oscar Wenderoth, Supervising Architect for the Treasury Department. It is a Georgian Revival building of red Flemish-bond brick with Indiana limestone trim, a seven-bay portico with carved capitals, a slate roof and a wood-faced cupola. Inside, the main lobby keeps marble walls from Vermont, ceramic tile floors, plaster vaults and cast bronze details. The building reflects the federal program that produced similar post offices in small cities nationwide, though its elevations and decoration were individually designed. Its construction followed the doubling of Plymouth's population between 1870 and 1915. Alterations have been minor, mostly replacement of entry doors. After postal sorting moved elsewhere, the building was rehabilitated and now holds offices and shops. The site sits within the original 1620 settlement, so 17th-century archaeological remains may survive beneath and behind it.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a well-preserved example of the federal post office building program of the early 20th century, designed under Treasury Supervising Architect Oscar Wenderoth. It is also noted for its Georgian Revival design and high-quality exterior and interior decorative details. Its site lies within the original 1620 settlement, with potential archaeological value.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 86002926, listed October 23, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 5 Main St., Plymouth |
|---|---|
| County | Plymouth County |
| Listed | October 23, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86002926 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1913-1914 |
| Architect / builder | Oscar Wenderoth, Supervising Architect |
| Architectural style | Georgian Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Only partly occupied in the late 1970s and early 1980s, then given a certified historic rehabilitation; now used for office and retail space. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Plymouth Village Historic District |
| Coordinates | 41.95596, -70.66336 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 86002926.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7205845
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.