The Historic Morgantown Post Office Building was designed and constructed in response to a period of growth in Morgantown that was occurring during the latter part of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. It was the first federal building and post office constructed and owned by the United States Government in the city. As was common for public buildings of the time, it was designed in the Neo-Classical style, which reflected the status of governmental buildings and the ever-changing architectural tastes. In fact, it has been said that it is the only Neo-Classical building in the city today.

 

The original portion of the building was completed in the fall of 1914. After serving the needs of the growing public for years, it was decided that additional space was necessary to increase mail processing facilities. In 1931, the structure was partially remodeled, and a two-story addition constructed to the rear as the annex. The Kirk Street side of the addition was designed to blend in well with the original building while the rear and northeast side were treated less stately using some or all yellow brick. The addition housed mostly non-public functions and the interior finishes reflected that as well.

 

In the early 1970s the post office and other federal services outgrew the older facility and moved to a new structure constructed in another location. The General Services Administration (GSA) closed the building and sold it to the Louis F. Tanner family. The Monongalia County Arts Center Association was conveyed the Original 1914 Building and the 1931 Addition was kept for use as offices by Tanner & Tanner, Certified Public Accountants. Changes were made to facilitate reuse and bring the building up to then current building codes, but this activity mostly occurred in the interior where it is not readily visible.

 

The building nomination process for inclusion in National Register of Historic Places began in 1978 with the listing approved on March 28, 1979.