Examples of Object Donations

Since 1886 individual donors have been the source for many of the Museum's most important acquisitions. As the Museum continues to build the national collection, quality, historical value and research potential are key factors in the acquisition of new objects. The Museum wants to create an intellectually rich collection of great depth for the public good. Therefore, we invite individual donors to continue to help us fill the gaps in the existing collection.

The Museum is currently seeking the following:

1. Material related to the global COVID-19 pandemic as it relates to worldwide postal operations, including:
   1. postage stamps and envelopes with postal markings that bring awareness to or otherwise reference the pandemic;
   2. expressions of thanks and encouragement for postal workers such as cards, letters, and yard signs;
   3. examples of mail art or pen-pal projects during lockdowns;
   4. mail-in COVID home testing kits, both legitimate and spurious;
   5. correspondence and official mail related to Economic Impact Payments (“coronavirus stimulus”), as well as scams and frauds related to the same, if delivered through the mail;
   6. products claiming to prevent or cure coronavirus, if marketed or delivered through the mail;
   7. health and safety equipment, supplies, PPE, and documentation for US Post Offices, and employees and contractors of the US Postal Service;
   8. other, similar objects with strong stories.
2. Material related to voting by mail during the 2020 U.S. election cycle (primary, general, and special elections), including:
   1. unused mail-in/absentee applications, ballots, instructions, or other official election mail;
   2. “Dear Postal Customer” postcards and mailers received directly from the U.S. Postal Service related to voting by mail;
   3. political mail, such as campaign literature, mailers from political parties, special interest groups, and political action committees that references voting by mail;
   4. tags, trays, manuals and instructions used for presorting and identifying election mail and political mail;
   5. “I Voted By Mail” stickers, pins, and other memorabilia;
   6. signs, banners, and other material from political rallies and protests that reference vote by mail;
   7. and other, similar objects with strong stories.

If you have any of this material and are willing to offer it to us as donation, please fill out this form. Thank you for helping us preserve this material for future research, exhibition, and education!