Fixes Serve as Reminder of Post Office's History

The scaffolding that went up around the cupelo perched on top of the Milton Post Office earlier this week was a long awaited fix-up and only the beginning of a string of projects to preserve the historic building.

 According to manager Amy Carter, one of the columns on the cupelo was blown off in a windstorm last October. Luckily, the rooftop structure was the only thing damaged when the piece blew off.

Like most repairs around the building, Carter had to wait for funding and approval from the regional Post Office in Windsor, CT. With the funding granted, workers began fixing the cupelo, a job that could take a few weeks according to Carter. The repairs will return the structure to it's original look.

"It will look the exact same when it's done," said Carter.

The building, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, has been operated by the Post Office since 1935. Prior to that, the location was home to the Blue Bell Tavern and previously the Railway House, part of the Granite Railway.

Inside the post office, a mural painted by Elizabeth Tracy in 1938 decorates the wall that holds Carter's office. The painting, called "The Suffolk Resolves: Oppression and Revolt in the Colonies," is one of several murals by the Missouri-based artist. She also has preserved paintings in Downers Grove, IL, Keenebunkport, ME and Saugus, MA among others.

Milton's oil mural by Tracy is scheduled to touched up by a Chicago-based conservator.

Like the art inside, the outside of the Post Office will also eventually receive a facelift. Carter said the steps and ramps leading up to the front door will be reconstructed using the original stones. The two part process will close the steps for work, and then after they are complete begin work on the ramp.
Both the mural restoration and the step reconstruction will be done after funds are secured.