Virtual Exhibitions

The world knows Simon Wiesenthal as a Holocaust survivor who tracked down Nazi war criminals for more than half a century. What many do not know is that he spent his evenings on a very different quest: searching for vintage postage stamps.

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Maps and Their Elements
Allan Lee’s collection of maps on stamps represents thirty-four years of collecting passion. The intensive historical and cartographic research that he and his assistant, Wilfrid Webster, conducted took years to compile, document, and authenticate. Lee traveled to 110 countries and corresponded with their national libraries and archives in this pursuit.

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And a Look Back at Past Recipients
To honor the recipients of the 2009 Nobel Prizes, the National Postal Museum has created this mini-exhibit to highlight the winners' achievements and look back on past recipients.

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On September 16, 1620, the Mayflower set sail for the New World. In celebration of this historic event, the National Postal Museum has created this mini-exhibit highlighting different objects and postage stamps with connections to the Mayflower and the Pilgrims.

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The Man, His Life and His Work
Ray Bradbury wrote numerous books, articles, poems and short stories and is remembered as one of the great science fiction and fantasy writers of the 20th century.

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On December 2, 1942, the Manhattan Project’s team of scientists produced the world’s first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction at the University of Chicago. To commemorate this important accomplishment, the Smithsonian National Postal Museum has created this mini-exhibit highlighting different objects with connections to this event.

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On November 22 1963, America's 35th President, John F. Kennedy, was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. To commemorate this tragic and pivotal event of the 20th century, the National Postal Museum has created this mini-exhibit highlighting different postage stamps with connections to President Kennedy's life and legacy.

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On September 9, 1850, California was admitted to the Union as the 31st American state. In celebration of California's birthday, the National Postal Museum has created this mini-exhibit highlighting different objects and postage stamps with connections to the state of California.

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Primary or Secondary Sources?

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