White River Junction, Vermont—Just in time for holidays, The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) received what it’s always wanted: the old post office building in downtown White River Junction.

“It’s CCS’s dream building and we’ve had our eye on it since before the school opened, but unfortunately it wasn’t possible financially,” said Michelle Ollie, CCS president and co-founder.

Enter Bayle Drubel—real estate developer, founding CCS board member and past chair—who purchased the post office in 2004. “CCS received a lot of support both locally and nationally to make this purchase possible, but without the Drubel family’s generosity this wouldn’t happen,” said Michelle Ollie.

The Old Post Office building will provide core instruction space, faculty offices, and will be the new home to The Schulz Library, a one-of-a-kind cartoon collection that was forced to vacate the old firehouse after Hurricane Irene. The building purchase complements CCS’s historic campus buildings in downtown White River Junction, which include its founding headquarters at the Colodny building on South Main Street, and studio space in FairPoint’s generously donated Old Telegraph building on Gates Street.

The Center for Cartoon Studies opened in 2005, and this is the school’s first property purchase. “This is a great facility. CCS feels like it’s about to enter a new chapter in its short, storied existence,” said Warren Bingham, CCS board chair.

Located in the heart of White River Junction’s downtown, the old post office (built in 1934) is a Colonial Revival style design, two stories in height with a flat roof, brick masonry construction and a cut granite block foundation. “The old post office is a building of integrity, stability, historic and timeless design,” said Hartford developer and Tip Top Building owner Matt Bucy. “I’m delighted CCS will be its new steward.”

Renovation will begin this winter. Classes will begin in the building in fall 2012.

CCS is thankful for the early support of several local and national donors, and will undertake a multi-year campaign to underwrite the building purchase and renovations.

Cartoon by Alexis Frederick-Frost.

The Center For Cartoon Studies (CCS) is America’s premiere cartooning school and studio, located in the historic village of White River Junction, Vermont. Now offering the Master of Fine Arts, One- and Two-Year Certificates, and summer workshops. Faculty and visiting artists include many of today’s most celebrated cartoonists. CCS has been featured in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, LA Times, and The Washington Post. CCS is a driving force behind the recent revitalization of White River Junction, bringing jobs, students, and art to the village.