Postal Museum | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/postal-museum/RSS feed for Postal MuseumenMon, 20 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000Why Did the U.S. Post Office Start Airmail So Early? And More Questions From Our Readershttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/why-did-the-us-post-office-start-airmail-so-early-and-more-questions-from-our-readers-180987469/You’ve got questions. We’ve got expertsMon, 20 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/why-did-the-us-post-office-start-airmail-so-early-and-more-questions-from-our-readers-180987469/Kids Send Thousands of Letters to Santa Each Year. Here's What Really Happens to Themhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/kids-send-thousands-of-letters-to-santa-each-year-heres-what-really-happens-to-them-180967542/The United States Postal Service and volunteers have responded to North Pole holiday correspondence over the past centuryThu, 14 Dec 2017 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/kids-send-thousands-of-letters-to-santa-each-year-heres-what-really-happens-to-them-180967542/First Known Piece of Mail Sent Using a Stamp Goes to Auctionhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/first-piece-of-mail-sent-using-a-stamp-auction-180983619/The 183-year-old envelope is a rare example of two early forms of prepaid postage: Mulready envelopes and adhesive stampsThu, 18 Jan 2024 22:08:40 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/first-piece-of-mail-sent-using-a-stamp-auction-180983619/When a Labyrinth of Pneumatic Tubes Shuttled Mail Beneath the Streets of New York Cityhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-a-labyrinth-of-pneumatic-tubes-shuttled-mail-beneath-the-streets-of-new-york-city-180983472/Powered by compressed air, the system transported millions of letters between 1897 and 1953Fri, 22 Dec 2023 12:15:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/when-a-labyrinth-of-pneumatic-tubes-shuttled-mail-beneath-the-streets-of-new-york-city-180983472/Why Collectors Fall Head Over Heels for the 'Inverted Jenny' Stamphttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/collectors-fall-head-over-heels-inverted-jenny-postage-stamp-180983237/One of the rare 24-cent misprints sold at auction this week for a record-breaking $2 millionTue, 14 Nov 2023 15:20:46 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/collectors-fall-head-over-heels-inverted-jenny-postage-stamp-180983237/Commemorate 9/11 With Free Virtual Programs, Resources From the Smithsonianhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/commemorate-20th-anniversary-911-free-virtual-programs-resources-smithsonian-180978608/Here's how the American History Museum, the National Postal Museum and more are reflecting on the tragedyThu, 09 Sep 2021 10:30:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/commemorate-20th-anniversary-911-free-virtual-programs-resources-smithsonian-180978608/Hamilton and Burr’s Dueling Pistols Are Coming to Washington, D.C.https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/hamilton-and-burrs-dueling-pistols-are-coming-washington-dc-180969045/Don’t throw away your shot to see these infamous flintlocks, and an incredible assortment of other Hamilton memorabilia, at the National Postal MuseumWed, 09 May 2018 20:59:26 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/hamilton-and-burrs-dueling-pistols-are-coming-washington-dc-180969045/A Brief History of American Dead Letter Officeshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/brief-history-american-dead-letter-offices-180964133/The United States postal system was established on this day in 1775, and mail started going "dead" very soon afterWed, 26 Jul 2017 15:20:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/brief-history-american-dead-letter-offices-180964133/Mail Delivery By Rocket Never Took Offhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mail-delivery-rocket-never-took-180963557/Although the Postmaster General was on board with the idea of missile mail, the Navy was ultimately less interestedThu, 08 Jun 2017 14:10:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mail-delivery-rocket-never-took-180963557/Anthrax Letters, Now on View, Represent the Serious Threats Faced by the Post Officehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/art-fraud-anthrax-how-your-mail-kept-safe-180952015/The National Postal Museum's "Behind the Badge" exhibit explores the history and legacy of the United States Postal Inspection ServiceWed, 16 Jul 2014 13:13:22 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/art-fraud-anthrax-how-your-mail-kept-safe-180952015/