20131: A New Fresh Face in a Very Old Philomont Post Office
By Dulcy Hooper
Amy L. Vollmer knew she had some big shoes to fill when she stepped into the role of Philomont’s postmaster in March, 2015. After all, she was taking over the job formerly performed by Laura Pearson, who had retired in January after serving as postmaster for more than 50 years. And the post office had been in the Pearson family for over a century.
Vollmer is respectful of the history and tradition that surrounds her.
“I guess I’m considered a clerk,” she said with some modesty, “but I do all the things that postmasters do.”
She’s also grateful for the opportunity, adding that “for a first assignment, I know how lucky I am.”
Vollmer said she found herself in her current post “quite by accident.” She’d been working for several years as a substitute teacher in Frederick County and decided to apply for a post office position.
“I took a test,” she said, “and I guess I must have passed, because I got called for an interview. So I had the interview and next thing you know, I get another call saying: ‘Congratulations! You’ve got the job.’ So at that point, I thought I’d better get serious and come over here to Philomont to see what it was all about.”
Growing up in Southern California, Vollmer remembered being fascinated
by “The Waltons,” the wholesome 1970s television series based on a Depression-era family living in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Shortly after stopping by and checking out the site of her new job, Vollmer called the regional postmaster in Purcellville with a question.
“So, this is kind of like The Waltons, isn’t it?” she asked.
“Yes,” he replied. “That’s exactly what it is.”
The Philomont Post Office, zip code 20131, is the last operational post office located in a general store in Loudoun County. It has 198 boxes, many held by “long-timers,” according to Vollmer. “There’s one woman whose post office box has been in the family from the very beginning. So that’s well over 100 years ago. She keeps the box, even though she no longer even lives in the area.”
Vollmer said she’s enjoyed getting to know the local clientele.
“I’ve come to know the names of our regulars and who has which box,” she said. “I’m learning who you can joke with and who you can’t. And I’m definitely learning who is not a morning person!
“Everybody likes the way they were treated by Laura,” she said, adding that she’s tried to “respect that and learn from it.” In fact, Vollmer has prominently displayed
a framed article about Pearson and her lengthy tenure.
One of the first tasks Vollmer took on was cleaning up the tiny space itself. She meticulously boxed up old newsletters going back to 1974 and sent them to the National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C.
“We’ve got a little more space in here now,” she said, adding that there’s not quite enough room to bring her dog, Lilie Lu, with her during much of the holiday season. “There were so many boxes and Christmas packages in here that I thought it would
be safer for her to just stay
at home.”
Philomont’s post office was established in 1831 and, in 1941, moved into the Philomont General Store, which had been established in 1913 and has been in constant operation ever since. It has “a little something for everyone,” including groceries, a deli, wine and cheese, maps and books and local products and crafts.
Mark and Madeline Skinner bought the store in 2003 and are the eighth owners in over 100 years of operation. Among those owners were West Pearson, who moved the post office over when he became post master, serving from 1941 to 1956.
Many local residents feared that the Philomont Post Office would be closed as part of the U.S. Postal Service’s plan to “reduce inefficiency at rural post offices.” Fortunately for Philomont, and for its rich history and tradition, the post office remains what it’s always been.
The Philomont Post Office and the Philomont General Store are located midway between Aldie and Bluemont, just off Snickersville Turnpike. The post office is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the General Store is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.