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 National Postal Museum in 2008 | |
  National Postal Museum (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Established | July 30, 1993 (1993-07-30) |
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| Location | Postal Square Building Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Coordinates | 38°53′53″N77°00′30″W / 38.89806°N 77.00833°W /38.89806; -77.00833 |
| Director | Elliot Gruber[1] |
| Public transit access |   atUnion StationAmtrak/MARC/VRE atWashington Union Station |
| Website | postalmuseum |
TheNational Postal Museum, located inWashington, D.C., is the primarypostal museum of the United States. It covers large portions of thepostal history of the United States and other countries. It was established through joint agreement between theUnited States Postal Service and theSmithsonian Institution and opened in 1993.[2]
The museum is located in thebuilding that served as the main post office of Washington, D.C. for decades, from its construction in 1914 until 1986. The building was designed by theGraham and Burnham architectural firm, which was led byErnest Graham following the death ofDaniel Burnham in 1912.[3] The headquarters of theUnited States Department of Labor'sBureau of Labor Statistics is based in this building, and there is also space for a data center for theUnited States Senate. It is located across the street fromWashington Union Station.
The museum's atrium features vehicles used to deliver mail throughout the history of the USPS, includingplanes,trains andautomobiles.[4] Historical exhibits guide visitors through the postal service's inception and expansion, as well as its role in significant national events such asWorld War II.[5][6] "Systems at Work" explores historic and current technologies involved in mail processing and delivery, such asmessage boxes,ZIP codes,optical scanners andconveyor systems.[7]
The museum holds theNational Philatelic Collection. The museum has a gift shop and a United States Postal Service philatelic sales window. Admission is free.
In 2005, the museum acquired the childhood stamp collection of the late singer/songwriterJohn Lennon.[8] From June 2015 until December 2019, the museum displayed the 1856British Guiana 1c magenta, the world's most valuable stamp, which sold for nearly $10 million.[9]
In September 2009, the museum received an $8 million gift from investment firm founderWilliam H. Gross to help finance an expansion project. The William H. Gross Stamp Gallery of the museum is named in his honor.[10]
Since 2002, the museum has presented theSmithsonian Philatelic Achievement Award every two years.
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