The National Postal Museum’s summer line-up of special public programs includes its Guest Artist Program and Baseball Family Festival.
-
-
Guest Artist Program (June 18 – October 3)
-
Now in its third year, the museum’s Guest Artist Program provides a collaboration with living stamp artists on a wide range of educational programs for learners of all ages.
Stamp artists have the extremely challenging task of depicting the shared history, culture and beliefs of an entire nation on a one-inch square piece of paper. They work to find the perfect balance between the countless perspectives and experiences of the American people with their individual artistic visions.
This year’s Guest Artist at the National Postal Museum is Katie Kirk. Her minimalist designs are rooted in mid-century aesthetics and incorporate bold colors and geometric patterns. During her term, Kirk and museum staff will create a variety of educational programming and resources for a wide range of learners and interest levels.
-
-
Shapes in Nature
-
Tuesday, June 18, 10:30 a.m. ET
This onsite program is designed for children ages birth to seven years, but all are welcome.
Known for her bold, geometric designs, Guest Artist Katie Kirk will lead young learners on an exploration of her use of shapes in animal stamps. Enjoy a story time, play corner and hands-on craft activity. Registration is not required.
-
-
A Love Story: Expressions of Love on Stamps
-
Thursday, July 25, 2 p.m. ET
This virtual program is designed for families with young children.
Love comes in many forms and can be expressed in a countless number of ways. Throughout history, artists have used many different techniques and images to show how people show their love. Guest Artist Katie Kirk will explore just some of the interesting designs used to represent love on postage stamps. Registration required.
-
-
Behind the Design: The Art of the Stamp
-
Thursday, August 8, 7 p.m. ET
This virtual program is designed for learners of all ages.
What does it take to make a postage stamp? How do you clearly convey cultural identities and historic events on such a small canvas? Join Guest Artist Katie Kirk as she pulls back the curtain and discusses the design process with a stamp art director, Antonio Alcalá, and recent stamp artists, Don Clark, Always with Honor (Tyler and Elsa Lang) and Ellen Surrey. Registration required.
-
-
Holiday Stamps Family Festival
-
Saturday, September 14, 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET
This onsite program is designed for learners of all ages, especially families with young children.
The winter holidays have come to the Museum early this year! Come and meet Guest Artist Katie Kirk in person while we celebrate the new 2024 Christmas stamps issued by the Postal Service. There will be crafts, games and all sorts of winter holiday family fun. Registration is not required.
Prior to the start of the Holiday Stamps Family Festival, the National Postal Museum will host the First Day of Issue ceremonies for the two 2024 Christmas stamps. Additional information on this event to come soon.
-
-
Spooky Soirée
-
Thursday, October 3, 6 p.m. ET
This onsite program is designed for adults aged 21 and above.
Get in the Halloween spirit with Guest Artist Katie Kirk at our Spooky Soirée! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to explore the Museum after dark. We’ll bring the cemetery crafts, hair raising history and devilish drinks; you bring the fun. Costumes optional. Registration recommended but not required.
-
- Baseball Family Festival (June 22)
Saturday, June 22, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
This onsite program is designed for the entire family – all ages!
Event Location: National Postal Museum’s Historic Lobby and Atrium
Free event; no registration required
Catch the excitement of the 2024 baseball season with the National Postal Museum’s family festival highlighting the bilingual exhibit Baseball: America’s Home Run. The event will offer fun for all ages with activity stations, crafts, live music and book read-alouds. American Sign Language interpretation will be provided for the book readings. Enjoy the upbeat sounds of bilingual children’s band 123 Andrés during 30-minute performances at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.
Broaden your baseball fun and learning with activity stations hosted by our event partners:
-
-
- DC Public Library
- National Museum of African American History & Culture
- National Museum of the American Latino
- National Portrait Gallery
- Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service
-
Ongoing Public Programs at the National Postal Museum
-
-
Hello, Museo (Every other Tuesday)
-
Join educators from the National Postal Museum every other Tuesday for a bilingual program featuring music, stories, crafts and gallery exploration. Designed for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers, but all are welcome! Registration is not required.
Únase a los educadores del Museo Postal Nacional cada dos martes para un programa bilingüe que presenta música, historias, artesanías y exploración de galerías. Diseñado para niños de 2 a 5 años y sus cuidadores, ¡pero todos son bienvenidos!
-
-
- Who: Children ages 2-5 and their caregivers, but all are welcome!
- When: Every other Tuesday at 10:30-11:30 a.m. ET
- Where: Byrne Classroom, 3rd floor, Postal Museum
- Cost: Free
-
Quién: Niños de 2 a 5 años y sus cuidadores, ¡pero todos son bienvenidos!
Cuándo: cada dos martes de 10:30 a 11:30 a. m. ET
Dónde: Aula Byrne, 3er piso, Museo Postal
Tarifa: Gratis
-
-
Story Time (Selected Mondays)
-
Join us for virtual story time! Selected Mondays at 11 a.m. (ET) National Postal Museum educators will read stories aloud and lead related activities in a Zoom meeting for children and their caregivers. Explore a range of postal-related topics and more! Sessions will be interactive and last approximately 45 minutes. Caregivers are expected to be present with children for the duration of the program.
Designed for children ages 3-6 but all are welcome!
Free – registration required.
-
-
Postmarks & Paperbacks (Quarterly on Monday evenings)
-
Postmarks & Paperbacks is an online book club for lovers of books, letters and the art and history of communication. It meets quarterly to discuss postal-themed books, including a range of selections drawing from epistolary novels, popular history books about the USPS or philately, and novels in which letters, the post office or stamps play a central role. We think you’ll be surprised and delighted by the range of books this encompasses, so dive in and read along with us as we explore these themes.
-
-
- Who: Anyone can join.
- When: Quarterly on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. ET
- Where: Online, via Zoom
- Tickets: Registration is required and limited for this free, virtual program. A Zoom link will be sent to participants 24 hours before the program.
-
-
-
Wine & Design (Selected evenings)
-
Wine & Design brings happy hour and postal-theme crafting together at the Postal Museum! Whether you are a letter-writing lover, an Etsy-fanatic or just looking for something new to do — join the club! Four photographs of letter writing and stamp materials. Kick back after a hard day at work and enjoy some postal-themed crafting!
-
-
- Who: Anyone can join.
- When: Evenings, 7-8 p.m. ET. See the below calendar for dates.
- Where: Online, via Zoom
- Tickets: Registration is required for this free, virtual program. A Zoom link for the online event will be sent to participants 24 hours before the program.
-
Check schedule for upcoming programs.
NOMINATE US! June 1-30 In Washington Parent Picks 2024 Family Fun/Museums category and Arts & Enrichment/Story Times category!
