National Postal Museum Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
National Postal Museum

National Postal Museum in 2008
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Established	July 30, 1993 (1993-07-30)
Location	Postal Square Building Washington, D.C.
Public transit access	at Union Station Amtrak/MARC/VRE at Union Station

The National Postal Museum is a cool place in Washington, D.C., USA. It's right across from Union Station. This museum teaches you all about the history of mail and how it's been delivered in the United States and other countries. It was created by the United States Postal Service and the Smithsonian Institution, opening its doors in 1993.

Museum Building and History
What You Can See at the Museum
Museum Events
Images for kids
See also

Museum Building and History

The museum is located in a special building called the Postal Square Building. This building used to be the main post office for Washington, D.C., for many years. It was built in 1914 and served as a post office until 1986.

The building was designed by a famous architectural firm. The main architect was Ernest Graham. He took over the firm after Daniel Burnham passed away in 1912. Today, other important offices are also in this building. These include parts of the United States Department of Labor.

What You Can See at the Museum

The museum has lots of interesting things to explore.

Mail Delivery Vehicles

In the museum's main area, called the atrium, you can see real vehicles used to deliver mail. These include old airplanes, trains, and cars. They show how mail has traveled across the country over time.

How Mail Works

The museum has exhibits that tell the story of the postal service. You can learn how it started and how it grew. It also shows how mail played a big role in important events, like World War II. Another section, "Systems at Work," explains the old and new ways mail is sorted and delivered. You can see things like message boxes, how ZIP codes work, and even scanners and conveyor belts.

Stamp Collections and Special Items

The museum is home to the National Philatelic Collection. This is a huge collection of stamps! There's also a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs. You can even buy stamps at a special sales window run by the United States Postal Service. The best part is, admission to the museum is free!

In 2005, the museum got a very special item: the childhood stamp collection of the famous singer John Lennon. From 2015 to 2019, the museum also showed the 1856 British Guiana 1c magenta. This is the world's most valuable stamp, and it sold for almost $10 million!

In 2009, a person named William H. Gross gave the museum $8 million. This money helped the museum make its stamp gallery even bigger and better. The new stamp gallery is now named after him.

Museum Events

Since 2002, the museum has given out an award every two years. It's called the Smithsonian Philatelic Achievement Award. This award honors people who have done amazing things in the world of stamp collecting.