Haddon Heights in Camden County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
"The Letter"
Haddon Heights Historical Society
| — | In memory of Lynn Laitman | — |
Photographed by Thomas Anderson, January 14, 2026
1. "The Letter Marker"
The Haddon Heights Post Office was constructed in 1937-38, funded by the Works Project Administration (WPA) during the Great Depression to provide jobs for everyone from the woman architect, the construction workers, the material manufacturers, the Postal Service employees, and an award-winning artist whose bas-relief sculpture graces an interior wall. The artist, Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988), was selected on the strength of his sculptural work for the Federal Trade Commission in New York. In Haddon Heights, the artist was inspired by the buildings use to create the image of someone writing a letter. He was paid $700 for his work, which was executed in artificial stone called Tymstone.
Noguchi was among America's most innovative sculptors of the 20th century. He believed that sculpture gave shape, meaning, and order to space. Noguchi strove for timeliness through the abstraction of things, places and ideas. Inside the Post Office, he created the abstraction of a woman, executed in the artistic style known as "Depression Modern" or "Art Moderne." Yet the sensuality of Noguchi's rounded, curvaceous forms in his sculpture
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Inslee Hopper of The Federal Treasury Relief Project, responded in a letter to the Haddon Heights Postmaster, stating in part, "The sculpture for the Haddon Heights Post Office is an outstanding example of Mr. Noguchi's work.... We believe that in time the patrons of the Post Office will grow to appreciate it. The sculpture is executed in a style which is possibly unfamiliar to many of the people who see it but we have found that frequently those who are slow to accept [a] work of art at first eventually become its staunchest supporters." Today, Isamu Noguchi is considered one of the twentieth century's most important and and critically acclaimed sculptors.
In 2004, five Isamu Naguchi stamps were created in honor of the 100th anniversary of Noguchi's birth. These stamps, each featuring his artwork, were issued as First Day covers at the Haddon Heights Post Office.
Erected by Haddon Heights Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Asian Americans • Communications. A significant historical year for this entry is 2004.
Location. 39° 52.882′ N,
Photographed by Thomas Anderson, January 14, 2026
2. "The Letter Marker"
Regionally, this marker is in South Jersey and in Greater Philadelphia. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Historic Haddon Heights (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Haddon Heights and the Railroad (about 500 feet away); Haddon Heights and the White Horse Pike (approx. 0.2 miles away); Haddon Heights Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Crystal Lake (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Crystal Lake (approx.
Photographed by Thomas Anderson, January 14, 2026
3. "The Letter" sculpture by Isamu Noguchi
Also see . . . Noguchi - The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum.
"Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988) was one of the twentieth century’s most important and critically acclaimed sculptors. Through a lifetime of artistic experimentation, he created sculptures, gardens, furniture and lighting designs, ceramics, architecture, landscapes, and set designs. His work, at once subtle and bold, traditional and modern, set a new standard for the reintegration of the arts."(Submitted on January 14, 2026, by Thomas Anderson of Haddon Township, New Jersey.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2026, by Thomas Anderson of Haddon Township, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 63 times since then. Last updated on August 28, 2026, by Liam Williams of Irvine, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 14, 2026, by Thomas Anderson of Haddon Township, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A photo of the entire marker. • Can you help?
