Friday, October 17, 2025
History
An early experiment in automation
A ‘turnkey’ Post Office opened 65 years ago
On Oct. 20, 1960, a fully automated Post Office opened in Providence, RI.
Postmaster General Arthur Summerfield — the PMG behind missile mail — championed the endeavor, dubbed “Project Turnkey” because it was meant to process mail at ”the turn of a key.”
A 25-foot-tall control center watched over three miles of conveyer belts and state-of-the-art culling, positioning, sorting and canceling machines in a facility that covered 13 acres.
The Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee considered releasing a stamp commemorating the undertaking but decided against it, deeming the theme too self-referential. It also worried that an emphasis on automation would be unpopular in a time of increased unemployment.
Summerfield overruled the committee’s decision, and his instincts were vindicated: The organization sold more than 833,000 First Automated Post Office stamps and 458,000 souvenir envelopes on Oct. 20 alone. The popular release opened the door to more postal-themed stamps, including the 1963 City Mail Delivery stamp, the 1971 USPS logo stamp and the 1973 Postal Service Employees set.
Unfortunately, the automated Post Office was not embraced as wholeheartedly as the stamp that promoted it. Equipment malfunctions and lack of employee training led detractors to label the effort “Project Turkey,” although today it is also viewed as a kind of beta test of postal automation.
If nothing else, the structure is considered an architectural highlight in Providence.
“This is really a remarkable building, utterly unlike anything else here,” the Providence Preservation Society writes in its Guide to Providence Architecture.
“It’s almost as if this were the love child of (Eero) Saarinen and Mies van der Rohe. While too big to be considered delightfully quirky, it is an interesting, unusual and highly visible landmark that should be better appreciated than it is.”
The “History” column appears occasionally in Link.
People
Back in business
A Post Office reopens following a flood, a retail associate shares his gift and a new facility is showcased
The Logan, WV, Post Office reopened this month after a flood temporarily closed the facility in March.
“I’m relieved to be home again,” said Jennifer Caserta, a retail associate there.
The flooding devastated Logan, a community of about 1,300 residents along the Guyandotte River. Following the Post Office’s closure, employees worked out of temporary quarters.
The office’s reopening drew media coverage from local TV stations and was attended by people throughout Logan.
“It’s important for every community to have their Post Office,” said Derek Strissel, the Postal Service’s Kentucky-West Virginia District manager.
Drawn to it
Drawing — and generosity — seem to come naturally to Richard Hanson.
The USPS retail associate’s ink drawings are displayed throughout the Corliss Street Post Office in Providence, RI, and he chooses a few each month to print by the hundreds on his own dime to offer customers.
The sketches always have a theme. This month, there are two pumpkin illustrations people can choose from; last October, he said customers scooped up about 1,000 free prints.
“At this point, if I don’t have any prints to give away, people are like, ‘No prints?’ ” said Hanson, who was recently featured in the “Show Us Something Good” segment on WJAR-TV in Providence.
Hanson, who has been with the Postal Service for almost two years, said he has drawn all his life and even designed Christmas ornaments at one point.
“It gives me additional inspiration to come to work, so I can give my art away,” he said. “I see that it makes people happy … it’s a win-win.”
Center of attention
USPS recently invited the news media to check out its latest sorting and delivery center — this one in Hanover Park, IL.
The centers, which aggregate multiple delivery units into a large facility that can serve a wider geographic area, are part of the organization’s broader transformation efforts.
“This new sorting and delivery center, and the other strategic investments we’re making nationwide, demonstrate our commitment to the American people,” said Jeff Drake, the Postal Service’s Illinois 1 District manager.
“It’s more than an investment in infrastructure and our employees; it’s a pledge to continue serving residents in Hanover Park and across the nation for years to come.”
“People” appears regularly in Link. Got news to share? Email us.
News Quiz
Retail renovation
How much do you know about S&DC lobby upgrades?
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end.
1. Fill in the blank: By the end of 2025, USPS plans to complete the modernization of (blank) sorting and delivery center retail lobbies.
a) 8
b) 10
c) 12
d) 14
2. The temporary price changes implemented on Oct. 5 for some USPS package services will remain in place until when?
a) Dec. 31, 2025
b) Jan. 18, 2026
c) Jan. 31, 2026
d) Feb. 14, 2026
3. Gregory Rehberg, owner of GLR Group, pleaded guilty for stealing how much money from the Postal Service through falsified invoices?
a) $582,000
b) $694,000
c) $739,000
d) $847,000
4. What is the name of the great horned owl that accompanies Lincoln, NE, Retail Associate Carri Honz when she visits schools, libraries and retirement homes?
a) Charlie
b) Halsey
c) Hoots
d) Woodsy
5. True or false: USPS employees can run for partisan political office as long as they don’t wear their uniforms during any campaign events.
a) True
b) False
Answers: 1) c. 2) b. 3) c. 4) b. 5) b. Employees cannot run for partisan political office.
Postal Bulletin previews open season
Postal Bulletin’s latest edition, published Oct. 16, offers a preview of open season, the annual benefits enrollment period for USPS employees.
Updates to the organization’s policies, procedures and forms are also included.
Employees can go to usps.com to read and download the latest Postal Bulletin, along with past issues.
View past printouts
Printout details
What's included
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History
An early experiment in automation
A ‘turnkey’ Post Office opened 65 years ago
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People
Back in business
A Post Office reopens following a flood, a retail associate shares his gift and a new facility is showcased
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News Quiz
Retail renovation
How much do you know about S&DC lobby upgrades?
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Brief
Postal Bulletin previews open season