US Post Office-Herkimer
Also known as: Herkimer Post Office
Why it's listed
Located at 135 Park Avenue at the western edge of Herkimer's commercial district, this one-story post office was built in 1933-34 in the Colonial Revival style. Its red brick walls, laid in Flemish bond, are paired with terra-cotta trim, fluted Corinthian pilasters, round-arched windows and an entrance under a swan's-neck pediment with a central urn. Inside, the lobby has marble wainscot, Ionic pilasters, a full plaster entablature and a coved ceiling with cross vaults, a level of grandeur unusual for a building of this size. Ross Edgar Sluyter, a consulting architect, is named on the cornerstone, though the basic design closely resembles the post offices at Oneida and Norwich. The project was authorized in 1931 under a public buildings program meant to ease Depression unemployment. Its elaborate detailing, especially the terra-cotta work, and its well-preserved interior make it one of the state's more distinctive post offices.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a distinguished example of a Colonial Revival public building in New York State, with an elaborate terra-cotta and brick exterior and an interior unusually grand for a post office of its size. It is one of three closely related central New York post offices, with Oneida and Norwich, and the only one with terra-cotta decoration. It was also authorized in 1931 as part of Depression-era public works to relieve unemployment.
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 88002501, listed May 11, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 135 Park Ave., Herkimer |
|---|---|
| County | Herkimer County |
| Listed | May 11, 1989 |
| Reference number | 88002501 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1933-4 |
| Architect / builder | Ross Edgar Sluyter (architect); Woodward Engineering Corporation, then Bedford Construction Company of Utica (builders) |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as retaining a high degree of integrity and in excellent repair; still used as a post office, with the screenline somewhat altered and new lockboxes and modern lighting added. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 43.02583, -74.98806 (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 88002501.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7890968
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.