St. Helena Star: Rep. Thompson pushes for stamp honoring St. Helena post office mural

City officials have endorsed an effort by Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, to create a commemorative stamp honoring the Depression-era mural at the St. Helena Post Office.

The proposed stamp would commemorate Lew Keller’s “Grape Pickers,” a mural on the south side of the post office’s interior, on the left as you enter the building. It would not involve the mural on the north side, which was painted by local artist John Maxon in 2002.

“Grape Pickers” was installed in 1942, and was one of many public art projects commissioned by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Treasury Department’s Section of Fine Arts. From 1935 to 1943, the WPA provided millions of jobs for unemployed American workers, including artists who were hired to enrich public buildings with art.

In a July 8 letter to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC), Thompson and four other members of Congress proposed a series of stamps commemorating WPA murals in St. Helena; Safford, Arizona; Long Prairie, Minnesota; Waurika, Oklahoma; and Greybull, Wyoming.

“Post offices across the country were enlivened by murals showcasing our nation’s history, culture and values,” the letter states. “Sadly, many of these murals have decayed, been destroyed, or been painted over. However, many still remain. The five post offices in the cities listed above contain sterling examples of the murals from this important era in our history.

“These murals are illustrative of the American spirit, representing men and women overcoming adversity through hard work and ingenuity. We can think of no better way to memorialize this period and the spirit of hard-working Americans than an official commemorative postage stamp.”

According to the letter, the same proposal was made in 2000, 2004 and 2010.

“Because CSAC receives so many requests and only 25 to 30 subjects are approved each year, it can take years before a decision is made on a commemorative stamp proposal,” Thompson wrote in a letter to the St. Helena City Council seeking its support.

The city’s own letter calls both post office murals “wonderful works of art” that members of the community enjoy every day.

The St. Helena Chamber of Commerce has also endorsed Thompson’s proposal.

“The WPA mural is a precious visual reminder to our citizens of all ages of our rich history,” the Chamber’s letter states. “This stamp would honor the time and dedication of the families and individuals who devoted their time and energy to develop the land and agriculture of Northern California. Without them, the Napa Valley’s legendary wine industry would not be what it is today.”

The Chamber is encouraging people to send letters of support to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3300, Washington, D.C., 20260-3501.