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FACTS
Open every day
(except December 25)10:00 am to 5:30 pm
Admission is always free!
Street Address:
National Postal Museum
2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.
Washington, DC 20002
Tel: (202) 633-5555MAP
- Collections
- Collection Database
- Collection History
- Collection Plan
- Collection Projects
- Object Donations
- Object Loans
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- Photographic Archives
- Preservation
The national collection illustrates and invites research into United States philately and postal operations. It contains prestigious postal issues and specialized collections, archival postal documents and three-dimensional objects that trace the evolution of the postal services.
- Exhibits
The National Postal Museum is divided into galleries that explore America's postal history from colonial times to the present. Visitors learn how mail has been transported and the wondrous diversity of postage stamps.
- Research
- Museum Library
- Appointments to Research Objects
- Maynard Sundman Lecture Series
- Symposiums and Lectures
- Research Funding
- Industry White Papers
- Finding Guides
- Research Articles
- Articles from EnRoute
- Topical Reference Pages
- Smithsonian Magazine Online
- External Research Links
The Museum supports a wide variety of interdisciplinary research projects which address topics of importance such as current and future postal operations, as well as philatelic and postal history. Our efforts are a resource and point of reference for research and wider investigation by historians throughout the United States and the world.
Co-Host Your Special Event at the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
Photo by Juan Carlos Briceño, Catering: Occasions Caterers, Design: Hargrove, Lighting: Showcall
The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum is devoted to the colorful and engaging history of the nation’s mail service and showcases the largest and most comprehensive collection of stamps and philatelic material in the world. Located adjacent to Union Station, the museum offers ease of arrival and departure for guests via cab service, metro, or bus line. Just steps away from Capitol Hill, the National Mall, and many downtown hotels, the National Postal Museum is the ideal location in Washington, D.C. to entertain.
The National Postal Museum provides an exceptional setting, which boasts:
More than 30,000 square feet of exhibit spaces for your guests to explore, including the world's largest philatelic gallery
Outside terrace featuring the Windows Into America installation
Beautiful and historic beaux arts style building
Docents, volunteer gallery interpreters trained by the National Postal Museum, enrich events by providing tours or answering questions about exhibit concepts . This complimentary amenity enhances any special event.
The Atrium
As guests descend the escalators to the Atrium, they are greeted by the splendor of marble floors and a magnificent skylight ceiling. Guests are surrounded by a vintage train car, numerous mail vehicles, and three airmail planes that suspend from the 90-foot-high-space. Guests are invited to explore any of the postal history exhibitions located in this area.
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Seated capacity: 100
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Standing capacity: 300
The Historic Lobby
The Historic Lobby, with its grandiose rosette ceiling, elegant marble floors, and classical columns is one of the most magnificent and historic spaces in Washington. Guests are invited to explore the largest philatelic gallery in the world and access an outside terrace with a breathtaking view of the U.S. Capitol. Four state-of-the-art video screens can be programmed to display customizable presentations.
Seated capacity: 275
Standing capacity: 600
For more information on co-hosting an event at the National Postal Museum, please contact:
Email: NPMGiving@si.edu, Tel: 202.633.4738
