If you have a shoe box filled with saved stamps and are wondering what to do with them, the Postal History Foundation (920 N. 1st Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719) is a 501(c)3 organization that relies on stamp donations and monetary gifts from the public to fund its educational activities. Their website, postalhistoryfoundation.org, provides complete information about what new or used stamps are most useful and how to donate them.
Founded in 1960, the Foundation’s goal is to keep alive a love of stamp collecting and provide classroom lessons, stamps, field trips and guest speakers to local schools, homeschoolers, scout troops and other Tucson organizations. One of their guest speakers would make an interesting program for a Tucson garden club.
The Postal History Foundation includes a museum showing the history of the US postal service, artwork by artists who create our stamps, stamps and postcards to purchase, interactive displays, a working post office, and outreach programs that teach youth about various topics showcased through stamps, such as animals, space, etc. The foundation’s Slusser Library holds over 30,000 books about stamps, stamp collecting and other postage-related topics. A visit to the foundation would make a wonderful field trip for a Tucson garden club.
For more information, or to schedule a speaker, email Educational Director Lisa Dembowski at education@phftucson.org (preferred communication method) or phone 520-623-6652 ext. 102. Classroom visits are free; field trips to the foundation are $2 per student (teachers and chaperones are free).
Donated stamps are used to create educational lessons presented to students visiting the foundation’s museum. Lessons are also mailed to parents and teachers who request them for use with their homeschoolers or classroom students.
Donated stamps depicting insects, flowers, birds, mammals, historic people, sports and historic events are always useful for creating educational lessons. Dembowski stated that all types of donated stamps are needed and that commemorative stamps were most popular. They also accept foreign stamps and sell them in their store to help fund the foundation.
Lessons are available for kindergarten through high school, with third grade having the most lessons (45). One educational lesson for second graders is called “Butterfly Fun”. A master copy of the worksheet is provided that teaches students about different butterflies and colorful butterfly stamps for each student. Visit the foundation’s website to order lessons.
Within walking distance of the University of Arizona, an official post office is located inside the foundation’s museum that is used by college students and the public. If you are a stamp collector, this is the only Arizona post office that receives almost all the newly issued stamps. It is open weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for purchase of newly-minted stamps or to mail packages and letters.
Students can request stamps by mailing a letter to: Stamp Discover, 920 N. First Ave., Tucson AZ 85719. Students should list five topics they are interested in so stamps are sent that are related to those topics. Adults and educators can request a starter kit for stamp collecting by calling 520-623-6652 ext. 102.
Stamp collecting is fun for young and old, and the Postal History Foundation is helping keep the hobby of stamp collecting alive.
By Karen Bowen
AFGC Blog Manager
Located at 920 N. 1st Ave. in Tucson, the Postal History Foundation is a working post office and an organization offering free educational lessons and stamps to local students and educators.
The Postal History Foundations uses stamps to create lessons for grades K-12.
You can donate your used stamps or purchase stamps on-line (Ebay name bobcarol) and donate them to the Postal History Foundation. Money donations are also accepted.
If a Tucson garden club wants to schedule a field trip or guest speaker, contact the Postal History Foundation, 520-623-6652.
