Can You Hear the Hoof Beats?

The Postal Museum is abuzz over the 150th anniversary of the Pony Express with a new exhibit opening and a family festival rapidly approaching. We can almost hear the hoof beats! On Saturday, April 3rd, we invite museum visitors to join us in celebrating the big anniversary with an exciting family festival. Here’s a preview of the fun we’re all looking forward to on Saturday!

Pony Express 101
Test your Pony Express trivia knowledge and pick up a few new facts in our Pony Express Relay Challenge! In this activity, visitors work together to move the mail along the Pony Express route by answering trivia questions. After you’ve got down the basics, head to our Getting Ready to Ride activity, where visitors select their supplies for the trail. Since Pony Express riders had to be fast and light, visitors will only be allowed to choose three items to take with them on the trail. Be sure to choose wisely since life on the trail could get pretty rough!

Pony Express Myth Busting
With “Romance and Reality” as our festival theme, there are plenty of Pony Express tales to tell. The question is: are they all true? Explore some of the Pony’s greatest myths and celebrity figures. First, help us create our own Pony Express myth at the Twisted Tales board where visitors get to add their own sentence to an expanding Wild West story. If you enjoy this activity, then you’ll definitely enjoy another activity that is dedicated to the man who helped to spread many of the myths that exist today: Buffalo Bill. Kids will learn a bit about this famous scout, entertainer, and self-described “Pony Express rider” while designing a line of celebrity footwear inspired by the man and myth. You can also see Hollywood’s take on the Pony Express at our “Horses & Hollywood” activity. View a montage of Pony classics ranging from Roy Rogers black-and-white classics to the 1990’s hit take on the Pony Express. Be on the lookout for a special guest appearance while watching these clips!

YOU take the lead in these next activities. At “1860’s Mail Sorting,” learn about the different ways to move the mail out west in 1860. The Pony Express, although much faster than its competition, was also a lot pricier! Then decide how to send all of your mail, (love letters, business letters, family letters, etc.) based on cost and speed. After that head over to our Pony Express puppet theater. First, create your own Pony rider puppet and name his horse! Afterwards, star in a Pony Express puppet adventure tale where YOU decide how the story goes! Make the same tough decisions that riders did to personalize your tale.

Express Extras
Along with all of these awesome activities, the Postal Museum will be offering tours of the newly opened exhibit: Pony Express: Romance vs. Reality. Kid friendly snacks like pony shaped cookies and freshly-popped popcorn will also be served during the day.

Don’t miss out on the National Postal Museum’s fabulous family celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Pony Express! Join us on April 3rd, from 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Right across the street from Union Station, the National Postal Museum looks forward to seeing you this Saturday!