National Postal Museum

Coordinates: 38°53′53″N 77°00′30″W / 38.898°N 77.0083°W / 38.898; -77.0083

National Postal Museum
Location within Washington, D.C.
Established	July 30, 1993
Location	Washington, D.C.
Director	Allen Kane
Website	http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/

See also The British Postal Museum & Archive, formerly known as the National Postal Museum.

The National Postal Museum, located in Washington, D.C., USA, was established through joint agreement between the United States Postal Service and the Smithsonian Institution and opened in 1993. The museum is located across the street from Union Station, in the building that once served as the Main Post Office of Washington, D.C. from 1914, when it was constructed, until 1986. The building was designed by the Graham and Burnham ^[1] architectural firm, which was led by Ernest Graham following the death of Daniel Burnham in 1912.

The museum houses many interactive displays about the history of the United States Postal Service and of mail service around the world. Also on display is a vast collection of stamps. The museum houses a gift shop and a separate stamp shop, along with exhibits on the Pony Express, the use of railroads with the mail, and even an exhibit on direct marketing called, "What's in the Mail for You," that produces a souvenir envelope with your name printed on it and a coupon for the gift shop. As a Smithsonian museum, admission is free.

Since 2002 the museum has presented the Smithsonian Philatelic Achievement Award every two years.

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.

The building also serves as the headquarters of the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

[edit] See also

• List of philatelic libraries
• Postal Museum

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• National Postal Museum official website
• Arago: People, Postage & the Post

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