Customhouse and Post Office
The Customhouse and Post Office is a 19th-century government building in Georgetown that served as both a customs office and post office. Completed in 1858, this Renaissance Revival structure features a facade with classical details, a metal roof, and measures roughly 61 by 46 feet (18 by 14 meters) with side additions.
Georgetown became an official port of entry in 1779, establishing its importance for international commerce. The current building was completed in 1858 after Congress approved funding in 1856 for a permanent customs facility.
The building reflects Georgetown's role as an important trade hub and seat of local government in early American history. It shows how postal and customs services shaped the daily rhythms of the community and how closely commerce and government were intertwined.
The building is located at 1221 31st Street Northwest and is accessible during weekday business hours. The first floor still houses a small post office, while the exterior facade is visible from the west side of the structure.
The post office in Georgetown dates to 1776, before the Declaration of Independence and when Benjamin Franklin served as the first Postmaster General. The building was only the third structure to permanently house postal services after the service operated for nearly a century without a permanent location.
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