Through the decades American Building & Design, LLC has done many remodeling
& renovations in Dover, NH. Dover historically is the oldest settlement in New Hampshire
and the seventh settlement in the United States.
Since the early 17 th century Dover, NH has had a variety of architectural styles which
range from pre-colonial to modern day architecture. Dover has an abundant number of
architectural styles from the Victorian era that range from Greek rival to Second empire.
Although there of examples of Victorian Era architectural styles within the city, I would
classify most styles as “folk” or utilitarian in details, which has an architectural ambiguity
in terms of what type of architectural style the building has.
A rare architectural style in Dover, NH which has always stood out to me is the
Dover Post Office, which is architecturally classified as Beaux Arts. Beaux Arts was
popular from the late 19 th into the early 20 th century, which is a combination of formal
symmetry, Italian Renaissance form, and classical Greek and Roman decorative elements.
Architecturally, Beaux Arts is used is traditionally used on civic buildings to convey
importance to the town or city.
The Dover Post office is located at 133 Washington Street and is the only example
of Beaux Arts in Dover NH and the Seacoast of New Hampshire that I am aware of. The
post office was constructed in 1911 and is listed in the National Register of Historic
buildings.
The Dover NH Post office was built on a hillside to telegraph its importance and classic Beaux
Arts style. Architectural details of the Post Office include arched Italian arched windows,
decorative Garlands, masonry walls (ivory), flat-to low pitched roof, and classical quoins.
My favorite detail of this building is the centered arched window with a bracket
and floral swag and the flanking English bond picture frames running vertical.
Please consider American Building & Design for your next remodeling project