National Postal Museum
 Entrance to the National Postal Museum |
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| Data | |
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| place | Washington, DC , United States |
| Art | |
| architect | Daniel Burnham |
| opening | 1993 |
| Website | |
The National Postal Museum in Washington, DC , USA , was founded as a collaboration between the United States Postal Service and the Smithsonian Institution and opened in 1993. The museum is located across from Union Station , in the former Washington, DC Main Post Office (from first occupancy 1914 to 1986). The building was designed by Daniel Burnham , who was also the architect of Union Station, and completed by Ernest R. Graham .
history
In 1886, the Smithsonian Institution was given a sheet of 10 cent Confederate stamps . This was when the National Philatelic Collection was founded . The collection has since grown to over 5.9 million items through acquisitions, donations from private individuals and other countries, and transfers from other government agencies.
From 1906 to 1963, the Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall was home to the collection. In 1964 the collection moved to what is now the National Museum of American History and expanded to include postal history and postage stamp production. Since moving in 1993, the museum has been at its current location.
present
The museum hosts many interactive displays about global postal history . You can also see a large collection of stamps . There is also a souvenir shop and a stamp shop in the museum. There is also an exhibit on the Pony Express and rail mail, and an interactive direct marketing exhibit, "What's in the Mail for You," As with all Smithsonian museums, admission is free.
The United States Department of Labor operates the headquarters of the Labor Market Statistics Office in the building.
Web links
Coordinates: 38 ° 53 '52.8 " N , 77 ° 0' 29.9" W.