Know Before You Go

The National Postal Museum is open Friday through Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
(Closed Wednesdays & Thursdays until further notice, & closed December 25. Policies and requirements are subject to change without notice.)

Timed-entry passes are not required to visit the National Postal Museum.

We invite the public to explore the vast portfolio of online resources available on our website. Follow the National Postal Museum on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

To email questions or comments, please contact us.

The Museum Shop, Stamp Store, and Library remain temporarily closed.

Guidelines for Visiting the National Postal Museum

We ask that all visitors, including those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, follow these safety measures to protect everyone’s health. Visitors who do not adhere to safety policies and guidelines may be asked to leave.

If Sick, Stay Home

We’re asking all visitors who are sick or feel unwell to please stay home. If you are at increased risk of severe illness, you may also want to consider staying home.

Face Coverings

All visitors ages two and older are required to wear a face covering while visiting Smithsonian locations in indoor spaces regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings may be removed while eating or drinking in designated spaces.

Face coverings should fit properly, covering the nose, mouth, and chin with no large gaps on the outside of the face, and they should have at least two layers. Face shields are not permitted as a substitute for a face covering but may be worn over a face covering or mask. Face coverings or masks with an exhalation valve are not permitted.

Social Distancing

We encourage visitors to maintain a safe social distance of six feet or more between households or groups at all times.

Hygiene

Please wash and sanitize hands frequently during your visit and practice good hygiene. Hand-sanitizing stations will be available throughout our facilities.

Personal Belongings

We encourage you to limit the number of personal belongings and bags you bring into our facilities as they will be subject to a thorough search. Limiting the items you bring will increase your speed through security checkpoints, helping us all maintain a safe social distance. Please note that we do not offer coat or bag storage.

Keeping Us All Safe

As the National Postal Museum reopens, safety comes first. We’re putting new safety measures in place to protect the health of our visitors, staff, volunteers, and collections based on guidance from the CDC and local governments:

  • All visitors ages 2 and over are required to wear face coverings indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
  • We’re providing hand-sanitizing stations for visitors throughout our facilities and conducting more frequent and enhanced cleaning.
  • We’re recommending that visitors maintain a safe social distance between households or groups.
  • We’re evaluating our exhibits, interactives, and indoor spaces on a case-by-case basis. Some of these features may be closed or operate at limited capacity.
  • Our staff will stay home when sick, wear face coverings, practice social distancing, and wash hands and practice good hygiene.

Please note:

COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that is believed to mainly spread from person-to-person contact. The National Postal Museum is doing its part to mitigate transmission intensity, and we ask you, our visitors, to do the same and help us reduce the spread of COVID-19. You must follow all posted instructions while visiting the National Postal Museum, including instructions about wearing face coverings and social distancing. Despite our best efforts, the risk of contracting COVID-19 could increase by visiting the museum. By visiting the National Postal Museum, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

The Smithsonian reserves the right to modify its hours of operations, capacity, or visitor guidelines as circumstances require and to deny entry or access to any person who fails to follow these guidelines or whose conduct puts Smithsonian staff, visitors, or property at risk.

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