National Postal Museum: History of U.S. mail since the stagecoach
Located inside Washington, D.C.’s 96-year-old city post office building, the 75,000 square-foot National Postal Museum houses an extension collection of postal related material, including rare stamps and letters, airmail planes and a Pony Express exhibit.
There are more than 16 million items in the museum collection, which started back in 1884 as the National Philatelic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution. It moved to its current location, just west of Union Station and a few blocks north of the U.S. Capitol, in 1993. In September, 2009, the museum received a $8 million gift from investment firm founder William H. Gross to help finance the expansion of the museum.
Some of the highlights include an original postcard salvaged from the German Zeppelin "Hindenburg", a number of very rare, inverted stamps and the first piece of mail flown across the Atlantic.
The Smithsonian's National Postal Museum brings to life the colorful history of the nation's mail service through hands on exhibitions and engaging public programs. Six galleries explore topics ranging from the postal system in colonial and early America to the Pony Express to modes of mail transportation and artistic mailboxes. Explore the history of the postage stamp and marvel over thousands of stamps and postal artifacts.
From stagecoach to Model T, learn about the techniques and technologies the U.S. Postal Service has employed to deliver mail over the years. Exhibits at National Postal Museum also demonstrate the important role that mail has played in the country's development. Interactive computer displays and videos of train robberies are especially popular.
The National Postal Museum offers special programs including workshops, films, family programs, lectures, and guided tours. More than 40,000 books and archival documents are housed at the National Postal Museum Library. The museum gift shop sells stamps, books and other gift items.
Guided tours can be scheduled in advance for groups of 10 or more visitors. Self-guided tours, student tours, and guided tours for walk-in visitors are also available. Scheduling sign language and oral interpreters for tours offered by the National Postal Museum requires three weeks’ notice. Check the museum web site for further details.
Posted by Jim Brown
