US Post Office-Patchogue
Also known as: Patchogue Post Office
Why it's listed
Patchogue's post office, at 170 East Main Street on Long Island's south shore, is a small limestone building with an unusually grand presence. A projecting, temple-like entrance pavilion dominates the symmetrical facade. Cast-aluminum grilles frame the doorway and windows, a large aluminum clock sits above the entrance, and a carved frieze shows trains, trucks, airplanes, dirigibles and ships separated by sculpted coins. Architect John V. Van Pelt designed it in 1931-32 as one of the first New York post offices drawn by a consulting architect, a practice allowed by a 1930 amendment meant to ease unemployment among architects. Construction followed in 1932 during the Great Depression public building expansion. The design blends Neoclassical massing with Art Deco detail, and its metalwork is described as unique among the state's post offices. Inside, a simple lobby with faience tile wainscot and a bas relief eagle over the entrance survives, though the screenline and lighting have been altered.
Significance in brief: It is an extremely fine example of a monumental Neoclassically derived design with refined Art Deco ornamentation. It was one of the first New York post offices designed by a private consulting architect rather than the Supervising Architect's office. Its cast-aluminum grilles, clock and carved frieze are described as exceptionally high quality and unique among New York State post offices.
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 88002397, listed May 11, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 170 E. Main St., Patchogue |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | May 11, 1989 |
| Reference number | 88002397 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- (specific dates 1932-3) |
| Architect / builder | John V. Van Pelt (architect); R.W. Erickson of Philadelphia (general contractor) |
| Architectural style | Neoclassically derived style with Art Deco ornamentation |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in good condition; retains a high degree of integrity on exterior and interior, with some alterations such as replaced entrance doors and steps and an altered screenline. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.76545, -73.01114 (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 88002397.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7891025
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.