National Postal Museum

The National Postal Museum occupies a former post office building next to Union Station and displays stamps, historic vehicles, and postal objects across several halls. The rooms span multiple floors with a tall atrium and exhibition areas for different postal themes.

The building served as the city's main post office before its conversion into a museum in July 1993. It preserves the story of American postal communication from the 19th century to the present.

The galleries show everyday postal work and how stamps have been collected for generations. Visitors see letters and packages that once traveled across the country and connected families.

The museum opens daily and admission is free, so visitors can stop by without advance booking. The location right at the train station makes it easy to reach using the Metro Red Line.

An atrium about 90 feet (27 meters) tall houses a stagecoach from 1851 and a Ford Model A postal truck from 1932. These vehicles show how mail once traveled over dirt roads and later on modern highways.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1993

Official opening: July 30, 1993

Operator: Smithsonian Institute

Part of: Smithsonian Institution

Address: 2 Massachusetts Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:30

Phone: +12026335555

Website: https://postalmuseum.si.edu

GPS coordinates: 38.89806,-77.00833

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30