About The Oldest Post Office In America
The oldest post office in America still operating in its original building
A post office is a facility operated by a national postal service or other governmental agency responsible for handling mail, including letters, packages, and other postal items, as well as providing related services such as selling postage stamps, offering post office boxes for rent, and facilitating money orders and other financial transactions.
The oldest post office in America is Hinsdale, New Hampshire Post Office. It is recognized as the oldest post office by the United States Postal Service (USPS). The Historical Marker Database acknowledges it as the Nation's oldest continuously operating post office building. The town of Hinsdale, NH defines it as the oldest continuously operating post office.
The Hinsdale, New Hampshire post office has a rich history, dating back to 1816. In 1815, Nathan Babbitt, who unofficially became the first postmaster of Hinsdale, constructed the building that would house the post office the following year.
Early on, the building was used as a general store with the post office occupying a small corner in the front. As the town grew, so did the post office, which now occupies the entire ground floor level of the building.
Initially, the post office occupied only a portion of the two-story wooden structure on Main Street. Over time, as the importance of mail service grew, the post office gradually took over the entire ground floor, while other businesses like general stores and barbershops came and went.
The Hinsdale office moved to the two-story wooden-frame building on Main Street in 1816. It has operated six days a week ever since. The post office has weathered various challenges, including a fire that destroyed the town hall next door but left the post office unscathed, and even burglary attempts.
The post office has also seen its share of excitement over the years. In May 1899 burglars broke into the building and blew open the safe. They escaped with more than $1,100 worth of stamps and postal funds. The office was robbed once again in 1909.
It retains much of its original character. The hundreds of brass mailboxes lining the walls are from the 1800s and still function with their combination locks. Residents take great pride in this tangible link to the past.
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The Hinsdale post office stands as a testament to the enduring role of mail service in American communities and a reminder of the town's history. When the post office celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2016, it was reported that the Hinsdale staff delivered about 2,000 pieces of mail each day.
Overall, the history of the Hinsdale Post Office reflects the broader history of the town itself, from its early days of settlement to its growth and development into the community it is today. The residents are very proud of their old office
The Hinsdale post office is open from 6 a.m. until 5:30 in the evening. While the window is open continuously from 9 to 5, customers can also come in earlier or later to pick up mail from their post office boxes.