What Is the U.S. Post Office and Court House?
Originally a post office, this castle-like Romanesque Revival building has also served as a courthouse, bank and restaurant!
What Makes It Historical?
As the new capital of Augusta grew, the need to process more mail became a big issue! But this growing city was not about to build a humdrum office for mail. No indeed! In fact, in February 1885, Congress raised funds and brought on architect, Mifflin E. Bell, to design a Richardsonian Romanesque building, asymmetrical but sturdily built from Hallowell granite! Finished in January of 1890 under William A. Freret then expanded under James Knox Taylor at the turn of the century, it was considered one of the most picturesque public buildings in the whole country! It served as a post office into the 1960s before being sold to private owners. This let the building maintain its outward glory while still being functional for the community!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer with the Maine State Museum!
- Donate to the Maine State Museum!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
295 Water St
Augusta, ME 04330
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
This building is full of different businesses, but the post office still operating here is open weekdays from 8:30 to 10:30 AM and from 12:00 to 4:15 PM! On Saturdays, it’s open from 8:00 AM until 11:00 PM!
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