Restored mural in Suffolk post office reveals beauty

By James Thomas Jr. Correspondent

SUFFOLK

A post office line might not seem a likely spot for inspiration, but that's just what it was for Smithfield resident Jean Aims. She recognized a fading American historical image while waiting her turn in the town post office and was struck by an impulse to return to it some of its former dignity.

On an overhead wall in the post office lobby hangs an oil-on-canvas mural painted in 1941 by William Abbott Cheever. It depicts a scene of Captain John Smith and crewmen trading with the Warraskoyack Indians at nearby Burwell's Bay on the James River in 1607.

It was one of nearly 1,200 murals and sculptures commissioned by the federal government for new public buildings during President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal era. The Smithfield Post Office was built in 1940, and nearly 70 years of dirt and neglect had tarnished the iconic image it housed.

"I was thrilled to actually find one, but it was filthy, too," said Aims, who moved to Smithfield from Alexandria in 2005 and had gone to the post office for an address-change notification form. She did a lot of research on the mural and local history and last fall began trying to restore it.

"It's an authentic scene," said Aims, noting that although relations between the Colonists and Indians were often hostile, "Smith was able to arrange several successful trading trips.... It was also the first piece of public art in Isle of Wight County, and local people had a lot of input into the selection of the artwork."

At least 25 other post offices in Virginia have similar works, Aims added.

Cheever, the artist, had visited Burwell's Bay and began work on the mural on location before returning to his Massachusetts home to complete the work, Aims said. Smith is shown set in the stern of a small boat while his men load baskets of corn into it from Indians who examine mirrors, beads and other trade goods they received.

Restoration costs were shared by the U.S. Postal Service, Isle of Wight Historical Society and private donors, explained Aims, also a historical society member and artist. It took three days to complete and cost about $6,800.

The work was done by Parma Conservation of Chicago, a group that restores post office murals nationwide and other paintings and frescoes from public and private collections. The restoration process involves a delicate balance between chemistry and art.

"We're not artists, but a lot of the training has to do with materials, types of dirt and how to protect the artwork," explained Elizabeth Kendall, Parma conservator and owner.

"It was actually luck that this one hadn't been cleaned or touched before. We had to remove resinous grime, probably from an old heating system, and then another solution to get rid of the years of dirt, grime and even cigarette smoke."

A lack of funding and more pressing priorities prevented the post office from restoring the mural earlier, Smithfield Postmaster Doug Johnson said. Jeanette Davis, who has worked at the facility for 20 years, said many patrons didn't even know a mural was there until the restoration began.

A formal dedication for the newly restored mural is planned for Saturday. Postal officials, historical society members and donors, and children and grandchildren of the original artist have been contacted and invited to attend.

"Mostly, it's an important part of American history and Isle of Wight history that needed to be saved and preserved for future generations," Aims said. "Sometimes you'd be surprised at what's around you by just looking up."

James Thomas Jr., ttomas205@aol.com