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PHOTOGRAPHS
VSITTErJ HISTOiacaL MD DESCRII=TIVE DiVm
m
Inctoric  Anerican ^yaiLQingK birrvey
iCa'iJ.onai Pari-c oervUie
r^asterti Office,   Division of ijesign and Conc;l:ruct.ioj.
143 South '.Lidrd street
Ph.Madeiphia 6,   PeiinGylvania
HISTORIC MMHlOm  BUILDINGS SURVEY
COUHTHOUSE AMD POST OFFICE
MBS No. VT-62
V ¦
4
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Address:
Main Street, Windsor, Windsor County, Vermont,
Present Occupant: United States Post Office, first floor.
Federal District Court, second floor.
Present Use:
Brief Statement
of Significance:
Post Office and Courthouse.
This cast-iron frajne building was designed by ArMii B.
Young, Supervising Architect, Office of Construction,
Treasury Department, 1852-1862, and built 1856-1859.
The building is maintained in excellent and unaltered
condition, and the original plans for its construction
survive. It is the oldest active post office build-
ing in the United States and is typical of government
architecture during this period.
PART I.  HISTORICAL INFORMATION
A. Physical History:
1.  Original and subsequent owners: tfeiited States Government.
2.  Date of erection: 1856-1859.
3.  Architect and builder: Amiiii B. Young (1798-1874), Super-
vising Architect, Office of Construction, Treasury Depart-
ment; A. H. Bo^*vman, MaJ., Engineers, U. S. Army, in charge
of Office of Construction, Treasury Department.
4.  Original plans: A copy of the original lithographed draw-
ings is preserved in the office of the Postmaster, Tim
Murphy, Windsor, Vermont. The drawings v/ere part of a large
series of drav^ings that was published in 1855 and 1856 under
the title. Plans of Public Buildings in Coiirse of Construc-
tion for the Uoited States of America under the Direction of
the Secretary of the Treasury. This series of drawings was
widely distributed by the Secretary of the Treasury and
survives in various libraries today. The Windsor Courthouse
and Post Office drawings consist of twelve sheets, one of
which is missing in the copy preserved by the Windsor
Postmaster. Follov/lng is a list of the drawings preserved
in Windsor; photocopies in this photo-data book:
a.  Cover Sheet.
b.  Title Sheet.
c.  Drawing No. 1, Cellar and First Floor Plans.
d.  Drawing No. 2, Lost (Second Floor and Attic Plans).
e.  Drawing No. 3, Elevations.
f.  Dravdng No. 4, Sections.
GOIMHOIKE AND POST OFFICE
Page 2 (HABS No. VT-62)
Dravang No. 5j  Exterior Details^ Profiles.
Drawing No. 6^   Interior Details, Profiles.
Dravdjig No. 7^   Door and V/lndow Details.
Drav/ing No. <i,   Details of Beams, Girders, etc.
Dra',d.ng No. 9,  Details of Roof and Stairs.
Drav/ing No.10,  Details of Post Office Boxing, etc.
#
5.  Notes on alterations and additions: The building has not
been altered and is maintained in excellent condition. The
three-cell jail in the cellar is the only part of the build-
ing no longer serving its original purpose.
6.  References:
a.  A History of Public Buildings under the Control of
the Treasury Department (Exclusive of Marine Hospitals
and Quarantine Stations) (Washington: Government Print-
ing Office, 1901), illus., pp. 592-593.
b.  Osmund R. Overby, "Ajumi B. Young in the Connecticut
Valley," Journal of the Society of Architectural
Historians, vol. XIX, no. 3 (October I960), pp. 119-123.
B. Supplemental Material: The follomng documents on the construc-
tion of the building are extracted from the annual reports of
the Engineer in Charge of the Office of Construction:
1. A. H. Bovffiian, "Report of the Engineer in Charge of the
Office of Construction, under the Treasury Department,
September 30, 1857," Statement No. 12 in Report of the
Secretar^y of 'the Treasury on the State of. the Finances
for the Year ending June 30. 1857 (Washington, 1857),
First Session, Thirty-fifth Congress, Senate Ex. Doc. No. 1,
pp. 90-137:
"The advantages of using iron for all purposes to which it
is applicable in our public buildings, after nearly five
years' experience, are fully demonstrated. The principal
iron establish]j:ients in our large cities and to^vns have made
themselves fully acquainted vath the details of construction
in iron, as applied to building purposes, and have provided
themselves v/ith machinery, tools, etc., for executing work
promptly, and at such reduced rates as almost to bring it
in eonipetition in price with stone, brick, and wood. V&ere
much ornament is aimed atj^ it can be erected in iron cheaper
than in stone." ^age 92/
"The building being erected for a post office and Ifoited
States courtroom, at Windsor, was commenced late in tJ:ie
season. The cellar is excavated, the cellar walls and par-
tition walls up to the level for the course of cut stone,
Tn^ich course is laid. This building can easily be finished
next season.
Total amount of appropriation............ $76,000,00
Amount expended to Septeiuber 30, 1857........  5,710.48
Balance available for the completion of the vrork. ,  $70,289 52"
/Page lll7
#
COURTHOUSE MD POST OFFICE
Page 3 (HABS No. VT-62)
Windsor Courthouse and Post Office
Superintendent^ Daniel C. Linsley, paid $4.00/day
Disbursing Agent, Charles Chapin, paid $2.50/day
^able V, page 13l7
Windsor Courthouse and Post Office
Total amount of appropriations.......... $76,000.00
Date of purchase of site. ......... January 20, 1857
Cost of site....................$4,500.00
Amount available September 30, 1856, vdth
additional appropriations ... ........ $76,000.00
^nount expended during the year ending
September 30, 1857................$5,710.48
Amount available for the current year......$70,289,52
Date of contract...............March 19, 1857
Contract time of completion.......... July 1, 1858
Contract price for construction ......... $49,300.00
^able VI; page 135/
2. A. H. Bovfiiian, "Report of the Engineer in Charge of the Office
of Construction, under the Treasury Department, September 30,
1858," Statement No. 10 in Report of the Secretary of the
Treasury on the State, of the Finances for the Year ending
June 30,  1853 (Washington, 1858), Second Session, Thirty-
fifth Congress, House Ex. Doc. Ko. 3, pp. 87-130:
"...the enormous consuirrption of iron by the government is
materially promoting the general welfare of the great in-
terest involved in its production.'* /Page 8^7
"The courthouse and post office at Windsor, Vermont will
probably be coii^Jleted the present year. All the briclc
walls are built, and, with but few exceptions, the iron
wor]^ all In place. The plastering of walls and ceiling
is nearly finished.
"The floors will be laid, and the carpentr;^^ put in place
as soon as the walls are sufficiently dried. This build™
ing, like that at Rutland, is of briclc, with iron exterior
ornamentation, and presents a fine appearance. Proposals
have been accepted for grading and fencing the grounds, and
the work will be carried on as rapidly as the vreather admits.
The contractor has pushed the work faithfully and vigorously
since its commencement, and will, no doubt, have it con5)leted
according to the contract by the time agreed upon.
Total amount of appropriations.........$76,000.00
Amount withdra^.vn to September 30, 1858. .... 44,050.02
Balance Available.............. $31^949 9S"
/?age 917
Windsor
Superintendent, Daniel C, Linsley, paid $4.00/day
Disbursing Agent - Department
/liable 4, page 12^
coimaHOusE and post office
Page 4  (HABS No. VT-62)
Vfindsor
Total amount of appropriations.........$76,000.00
Date of purchase of site..........January 20, 1857
Cost of site...................$4,500.00
iUnoimt available September 30, 1857
with additional appropriations. ....... .$70,289.52
Amount expended during the year ending
Septeriiber 30, 1858...............$38,339.54
Amount available for current year........$31,949.98
Date of contract...............March 19, 1857
Contract time of congjletion..........July 1, 1858
Contract price of construction......., , .$49,300.00
/fable 9, page 128/
3. A. H. Bowman, "Report of the Engineer in Charge of the Office
of Construction, under the Treasuiy Department, September 30,
1859," Statement No. 13 in Report of the Secretary of the
Treasury on the State of the Finances for,the Year ending
June 30. 1860 (Washington. 1860), First Session, Thirty-
sixth Congress, Senate Ex. Doc. No. 3, pp. 91-138:
"I have the honor again to call your attention to the growing
variety of uses for which iron is most desirable in public
buildings. Every new trial suggests new uses, and the oppor-
tunity thus given to stimulate the production of this national
staple, v/ith both present and ultimate economy to the govern-
ment, will not be neglected when the f incmces of the country
shall again permit me to call ^oiJir attention to the new works
already authorized." /Page 9^/
"The new courthouses and post offices at Hutland and at
Windsor, Vermont^ which are built from similar plans and
drawings, but by different contractors, are both completed,
furnished, and occupied by the postmaster of each place, and
the court-rooms are ready for use whenever the courts shall
be held.
"The grading and inclosing the grounds^ which is a work of
some magnitude at each place, is now nearly finished, and
will be entirely cojirpleted, it is expected, before winter
sets in. The intense rigor of the winter in this locality
renders necessary a very substantial foundation and structure
for all outside woric, and the y;alls and fences have been
built in accordance with such necessity.
"The buildings are built of brick, with iron doors, iron
ornamental window casings, etc., and are beautiful and
imposing edifices^ but are largely in advance of the neces-
sities or v/ants of either place, both in size and cost....
"Windsor
Total amount of appropriation..........$76,000.00
Amount withdrawn to September 30, 1859.....  68.262.48
_  Balance available                                                             « 7 737*52"
^Pages II6-II77                                                                                 '
•
COURTHOUSE AND POST OFFICE
Page 5 (HABS No, VT-62)
Windsor
Total amount of appropriations. ..........$76,000.00
Purchase of site...............January 20; 1857
Cost..........................$4,500
Amount available September 30,  1858........$31,949.98
Ajuount expended during year ending
September 30, 1859................$24,212-46
Balance ...................... $7,737.52
Date of contract................March 19, 1857
Contract time of completion.......... .July 1,  1858
Actual time of conpletion...........Ivlarch 25, 1859
Contract price of construction...........$49,300.00
Total cost....................$68,262.48
^able 8, page 1367
Prepared by Osmund R. Overby and Henry C. Edwards
Architects, National Park Service
September 1959
FART II.  ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION
A.  General Statement:
1.  Architectural character: This building is typical of
Young's worit in the 1850's and representative of govern-
ment architecture of the period. By this time, Yoimg's
Greek Revivalism as seen in his design for the Boston
Custom House (1837-1847) had been modified by the prevail-
ing Italianate manner. The Office of Construction was pro-
moting the use of iron, both for ornamental and structural
members, at this time, which also can be seen in this build-
ing. Windsor's stable population and the generous design
of the Courthouse and Post Office have allowed the building
to continue serving its original purposes without additions
or alterations.
2.  Condition of fabric: The building is structurally sound
and maintained in excellent condition.
B.  Technical Description of Exterior:
1.  Over-all dimensions: Rectangular building, 79' wide x
^'?^.    Three stories high, plus attic and cellar. Third
or "half" story only at north and south ends; second floor
court room at the center of the building is two stories high.
2.  Foundations: Stone.
3.  Vtfall construction: BricK masonry exterior vmlls; cast-iron
frame interior construction.
4.  Stoops: Narrow entrance stoop nearly the full length of
the front of the building, up four steps, made of large
blocks of cut granite.
•
COUHmOUSE AND POST OFFICE
Page 6  (HABS No.  VT-62)
5.     Chimneys:    Eight bricic chimneys.
6.     Openings:
a.  Doorways and doors: Tv/o-leaf, tvra-panel entrance doors.
T\vo entrances on front or v/est side in the end bays of
the five-bay front. One entrance on the north side. One
entrance on the back or east side. Vermicuiated, rusti-
cated doorv/ays.
b.  Windows: First floor, round headed, double iiung, 6/6
light. Second floor, 6/6 light, double hung. Third
floor, 6 light fixed. First floor window frames match
doorv/ays with vermiculated rustication. Second and
third floor windows have moulded frames; the three
taller court room vrlndows on the second story, which
conprise the center three bays of the front, have pedi-
ments on consoles.
7.  Other exterior ornament; Moulded belt course. Quoins^
vermiculated on the first story, smoothly stirfaced above.
8.  Roof;
a.  Shape, covering: Hipped roof; corrugated, sheet-metal
covering.
b.  Cornice: Moulded comxce  with Fiodillions.
G. Ci:5>ola: Large wood frmae cupola; single, large,
Xouvered opening on each side with semicircular top;
quoined; moulded cornice with modillions; octagonal,
bell-shaped roof, surmounted by a brass eagle.
G. Technical Description of Interiors;
1.  Floor plans: Cellar: storage rooms and unused jail. First
floor: Post Office vlth vestibule, work area, and offices.
Second and third floors: Federal court room with Judges'
chambers, jury rooms, offices, etc, Attic space unused.
2.  Stairways: T^vo stairways, one in northv/est, one in south-
west comer of building. Cast-iron stringers, risers,
treads, balusters, and nev/el posts vdth foliated and vine
omaiiientation. SiiiEple, wood, moulded handrail.
3.  Flooring: Shallow brick vaulted floors supported on "I"
beams, brought to a level with a thin, rough, concrete slab,
wood sleepers embedded in the concrete, hardwood finish
flooring nailed to sleepers. Plaster ceiling hung on wood
furring below. Rough concrete floor exposed in attic.
Brick floor iii cellar.
4.  Wall and ceiling finish: Plaster.
5.  Doorways and doors; Two, four, and six-panel wood doors.
Moulded wood doorways.
COUKEHOUSE AND POST OFFICE
Page 7 (HABS No. VT-62)
6.  Trim: Moulded window franies on interior. Cast-iron transom
guards- Interior supports are cast-iron colurans in a modified
Corinthian order. High paneled wainscoting in the court room.
Round-headedj marble mantels with laarble mantel shelves and
Incised ornamental details.
7.  Lighting: Electric.
8.  Heating: Originally heated by a central, hot-air system
supplemented with fireplaces. Later replaced by a central
heating system with radiators.
D. Site:
1.  General setting and orientation: Building faces northwest
on the main street of the business district in a small town.
2.  Walks: Modem concrete sidewallis.
Prepared by Osmund K. Overby and Henry C. Edv/ards
Architects, National Park Service
September 1959