Oil City Post Office -
U.S. Federal Building
The Venango Museum is located in the historic U.S. Federal Building, formerly the U.S. Post Office. The building was completed in 1906 under the direction of architect James Knox Taylor, and additions were completed in 1912 and 1928.
James Knox Taylor
James Knox Taylor was Supervising Architect of the United States Department of Treasury from 1897 - 1912.
His name is listed as supervising architect of hundreds of federal buildings built throughout the United States during the time period, including the Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital (1908), the Denver Mint (1897), and the Philadelphia Mint (third building in 1901).
Local Landmark
The Federal Building became a local landmark by serving as the main post office for Oil City for almost sixty years (1906 - 1963). It was built in response to the rapid commercial growth following the nineteenth-century oil boom.
Various government agencies had offices located in the building throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including Selective Services and the Internal Revenue Service.
After extensive renovations, the Museum moved into the building and opened in 1985 and has been serving Venango County residents and visitors ever since.
Beaux-Arts
The building was designed in the Beaux-Arts architectural style, a French style of architecture popular from the 1830s to the end of the 19th century. The Beaux-Arts style is most notable for its sculptural decoration along conservative, modern lines.
Due to the significance of its architecture, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.