National Postal Museum


The National Postal Museum, located opposite Union Station in Washington, D.C., United States, was established through joint agreement between the United States Postal Service and the Smithsonian Institution and opened in 1993.

Premises

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 architectural firm, which was led by Ernest Graham following the death of Daniel Burnham in 1912.
The building in which the museum is housed also serves as the headquarters of the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, as well as a data center for the United States Senate.

Displays

The museum stores the National Philatelic Collection and also hosts many interactive displays about the history of the United States Postal Service and of mail service around the world. The museum houses a gift shop and a United States Postal Service philatelic sales window, along with exhibits on the Pony Express, the use of railroads with the mail, the preserved remains of Owney, and an exhibit on direct marketing called, "What's in the Mail for You," that produces a souvenir envelope with a visitor's name printed on it and a coupon for the gift shop. As a Smithsonian museum, admission is free. This museum also houses a library.
In 2005, the museum acquired John Lennon's childhood stamp collection. From June 2015 until December 2018 the museum displayed the 1856 British Guiana One-Cent Magenta, the world's most valuable stamp, which sold for nearly $10 million.
In September 2009, the museum received an $8 million gift from investment firm founder William H. Gross to help finance an expansion project. The museum now hosts the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery named in his honor.

Events

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

Gallery