Old Post Office and Steen's Military Museum, Ashland
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
This historic structure served as the Ashland Post Office until it was replaced by the current post office in the early 1980s. The building was constructed in 1916 and expanded in 1933 as part of a New Deal work program. The newly-expanded facility was dedicated by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Following the construction of the city's new post office, the building was sold to an engineering firm and later became the home of a bookstore. The current owner, Marshall Steen, operates a small military history museum here and also rents the building for special events.
Images
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The post office has held an engineering firm, a bookstore, the Jesse Stuart Foundation, and several other businesses. The building currently houses Steen's Military Museum, which offers exhibits and artifacts related to the military from the French and Indian War to the modern era. Steen has been working on opening a military museum after twenty years of planning and collecting. The Steen family operates the building and the museum, with most items in the museum coming from their extensive collection of firearms and uniforms. The Steen family also provides the historic cannons that can be seen around downtown Ashland through their own cannon foundry.
Sources
2015Herald-Dispatch.com, The Herald-Dispatch /. "Gallery: Renovated Old Post Office opens in Ashland." The Herald-Dispatch. The Herald-Dispatch, 28 Feb. 2015. Web. 01 Apr. 2017. <">http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/recent_news/gallery-renovated-old-post-office-opens-in-ashland/a....
Independent, TIM PRESTON. "Steen invites Rotary Club to visit The Old Post Office." The Independent Online. The Independent, 06 Apr. 2015. Web. 01 Apr. 2017. <">http://www.dailyindependent.com/news/steen-invites-rotary-club-to-visit-the-old-post-office/article_....
Independent, Adam BlackThe. "Old building, new purposes: Steens ready to introduce community to military museum and event venue." The Independent Online. The Independent, 22 Feb. 2015. Web. 01 Apr. 2017. <">http://www.dailyindependent.com/community/old-building-new-purposes-steens-ready-to-introduce-commun....
Melchior, Dustin. "Steen's Military Museum now at the Old Post Office." Ironton Tribune. Ironton Tribune, 20 Mar. 2015. Web. 01 Apr. 2017. <">http://m.irontontribune.com/2015/03/20/steens-military-museum-now-at-the-old-post-office/>.