Update: Stay up to date with Patch on your Twitter or Facebook stream. Follow us at http://www.facebook.

com/SewickleyPatch or @SewickleyPatch

28 F
HI:46LO:31
Like Sign In 319 Patch New sletter Nearby Join

Editor Larissa Dudkiewicz: Heard some news you want us to check out? Let me know: larissa.dudkiewicz@patch.com

Home

News

Events

Places

Traffic & Gas

Gallery

Elections 2011

More

Search

Business, Arts, The Neighborhood Files

Old Sewickley Post Office Relishes 100th Year Anniversary

The Old Sewickley Post Office celebrates its 100th year of existence with the recognition of those who saved it from the chopping block in 1984.
By Kristy Snyder Email the author January 8, 2012

Recommend

t ee T w

Email

Print

Comment
25th R&R Hall of Fame

Flag as inappropriate

1 of 11

The 25th Anniv. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert 3 DVD Set - Free S&H!
www.Tim eLife.com /Rock

Titanic Heart Necklace

Official 100th Anniversary Pendant. Certified Authentic by RMS Titanic.
TheTitanicNeck lace.com

Online Post Office

Save Up To 80% On Postage Costs No Risk 4 Week Trial To Prove It!
www.Stam ps.com

BP Gulf Recovery Update

Learn How BP is Determined to See the Recovery of the Gulf Through.
www.Facebook .com /BPAm erica Sponsored Links

Numerous displays highlighting the history of the building were scattered through the reception. Credit Kristy Snyder

Photos

Map data OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA IN THIS ARTICLE

Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Old Post Office Building on Saturday
Upload Photos and Videos

Sweetwater Center for The Arts

200 Broad St, Sewickley, PA

Not every building can live to see 100 years, but thanks to the Old Sewickley Post Office Corporation
converted by Web2PDFConvert.com

(OSCOP), the Old Post Office has reached this mile marker with a bright future still ahead. The organization held a reception Saturday night to celebrate the success of the renovation and reopening of the building as the headquarters for the Sweetwater Center for the Arts and the Sewickley Valley Historical Society, which took place 25 years ago. The building, which is in the neo-classical style and was designed by James Knox Taylor at an estimated cost of $75,000, opened on Jan. 29, 1912. Domestically, the government was showing its power by building civic structures, such as this post office, said Harton Semple, the executive director of the Sewickley Valley Historical Society, as he explained the history of the building. You may wonder, why such a lavish post office? Because the United States post office wanted it to be so. It was the perfect place to put a post office because Sewickley was an important town, Semple said. It remained open until 1981, when the post office relocated to its current Thorn Street location. It was only because of the efforts of the OSPOC that the building did not remain vacant and fall to shambles. The role of OSPOC is to serve as stewards of the building from those days to [today], keeping the building in excellent condition and historically relevant, said current board president Susan Sour. One major focus of the event was to highlight the efforts of the original board members to save the building from certain destruction. We wanted Sweetwater to stay in the village of Sewickley, and we felt that the Post Office was worth saving and could possibly satisfy our needs, said Alice Snyder, an original board member, through a statement that was read by Semple. Other organizations were contacted to establish their interest in sharing the space. The historical society was a perfect match. Snyder said that they originally heard of other cases where old government buildings could be purchased for $1 if put to community use. However, when all was said and done, the organization had to raise one million dollars to purchase and renovate the building. In addition to honoring the accomplishments of the past, the event also focused on two current projects: a substantial donation to Sweetwater from the OSPOC to create a new kitchen, and the efforts to add the Old Sewickley Post Office to the National Register of Historic Places. We look forward to more programming for our cooking, but also of course to use that facility for the many good cultural events that we have here at the Old Sewickley Post Office, said Pete Schlicht, the treasurer of Sweetwater. As for the process of adding the building to the national register, a committee headed by historical preservationist Jeff Slack has submitted the initial draft of their nomination to the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, which has 60 days to return comments and questions. The final draft will then be submitted for approval. Related Topics: 100th anniversary, Nonprofit, Old Sewickley Post Office, Old Sewickley Post Office Corporation, Sewickley, Sewickley Valley Historical Society, and sweetwater center for the arts Email me updates about this story.
Enter your email address
Keep me posted

Old Sewickley Post Office

200 Broad St, Sewickley, PA SEE MORE ON PATCH Get Out: 'Laugh Out Loud,' a Celebration & Weekend Movies Sewickley Well Represented Among Tuskegee Airmen, Historian Says Allegheny Land Trust Preserves Acreage in Sewickley Heights It's Here! Sewickey Lights Up Tonight with Fireworks, Entertainment Sewickley Wine Walk Pours Into the Village Wednesday Evening

MOST POPULAR ARTICLES Sewickley Health Expert Offers Tips on Prevention, Coping With Diabetes Jeremy Angus to Officially Announce Candidacy for the 16th District Jackie Evancho to Sing for Japanese Royal Family Allegheny County Police Investigating Sewickley Man's Death Old Sewickley Post Office Relishes 100th Year Anniversary

Recommend

t ee T w

Email Comment

Print

Follow comments

Submit tip

Leave a comment

Submit

25th R&R Hall of Fame

The 25th Anniv. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert 3 DVD Set - Free S&H!
www.Tim eLife.com /Rock

Online Post Office

converted by Web2PDFConvert.com

Online Post Office

Save Up To 80% On Postage Costs No Risk 4 Week Trial To Prove It!
www.Stam ps.com

Titanic Anniversary Heart

Commemorative Keepsake Necklace. Official 100th Anniversary Pendant.
TheTitanicNeck lace.com

BP Gulf Recovery Update

Learn How BP is Determined to See the Recovery of the Gulf Through.
www.Facebook .com /BPAm erica Sponsored Links

Advertise
Advertise on Patch and reach potential customers in your backyard and beyond. Click here for more information. Learn more
Patch Info Get in Touch

Volunteer
If you want to help local causes, or your cause needs local help, your next click should be right here. Learn more
Patch Initiatives Goodies

Contribute
Send us news tips Put an event on the calendar Announce something to everyone

About Us Jobs Advertise Terms of Use Privacy Policy

Help Contact Us Patch Blog

PatchU Patch.org

Newsletters Widgets

Get Patched In
Copyright 2012 Patch. All Rights Reserved.

Enter your email

Terms of Service Privacy Policy

Sign Up

Close

Sewickley news, events, and deals, delivered straight to you.

converted by Web2PDFConvert.com