activities · 20
what they do
direct service · 17
- Deliver educational programs on philately and postal history Living History & Historic Skills EducationProvides educational services to various groups including educators, parents, students, and community organizations through the Stamp Discovery Education Program. This includes youth educational programs, merit badge workshops, and interactive exhibits using donated materials.
- Deliver youth and educational programs Living History & Historic Skills EducationRuns the Stamp Discovery Education Program, offering free or low-cost resources and activities for children, parents, teachers, scouts, and community groups. Includes merit badge workshops, stamp design contests, and an education collection of donated materials used in youth engagement, continuing a youth philately program established in 1964.
- Exhibits and Tours Historic Site Museum OperationOffers museum exhibits, guided tours, and hosts special events, providing a unique visitor experience related to postal history and philately.
- Host museum exhibits and guided tours Historic Site Museum OperationOffers museum exhibits, including permanent collections of cultural objects and rotating/online exhibits, to connect people to postal history and philately. The organization also provides pre-scheduled guided group tours led by staff or volunteers.
- Host museum exhibits and public tours Historic Site Museum OperationOperates a museum with permanent and rotating exhibits, including historical artifacts like the old Naco post office front, territorial-era post office equipment, and artwork depicting early mail delivery. Offers pre-scheduled guided group tours and online exhibits to educate the public about postal history and stamp collecting.
- Host stamp design contestsHosts the Tucson Birthday Stamp Design Contest, recognizing winners such as Nola Gelling, Serena Hsu, Roark Polzin, Joshua Baca, Jillian Stochowski, Sierra McLean, Lorenzo Corza, and Ryan Bridges.
- Library Services Specialized Research Library AccessOperates the Slusser Library, allowing local members to check out materials, provides free remote research assistance, and offers photocopying and scanning services subject to copyright and capacity limits.
- Library and Archival Collections Postal History Preservation & ResearchMaintains two main collections: a Library Collection focused on philately, Arizona history, and the American Civil War, and an Archives Collection that preserves philatelic materials, particularly Arizona philately and postal history.
- Maintain and provide access to philatelic and postal history collections Specialized Research Library AccessMaintains extensive library and archival collections, including over 30,000 titles and hundreds of boxes of research material related to stamp collecting and postal history. These collections are made available to the public for research in a reading room, with local members able to check out materials.
- Operate a philatelic sales facility and post officeOperates a philatelic sales facility and postal outlet in Arizona that receives almost all new stamp issues, offering U.S. and worldwide stamps, covers, postcards, collectibles, and stamp collecting supplies, with stock supplied by donations. It also provides a contract post office.
- Operate philatelic library and archival collections Oral History & Archival DocumentationThe organization maintains the Slusser Library with over 30,000 titles and extensive archival collections focused on philately, Arizona postal history, and related topics such as the American Civil War. These collections include books, journals, auction catalogs, maps, ephemera, and research materials, which are cataloged and made accessible to the public through a reading room.
- Operate philatelic sales and contract post officeManages a philatelic store selling U.S. and worldwide stamps, covers, postcards, collectibles, and supplies, with inventory sourced from donations. Also operates the only philatelic sales facility and contract post office in Arizona that receives nearly all new U.S. stamp issues.
- Philatelic Sales and Postal OutletOperates the only philatelic sales facility and postal outlet in Arizona, selling U.S. and worldwide stamps, covers, postcards, and collectibles, with stock supplied entirely by donations.
- Preserve and acquire postal history artifacts Postal History Preservation & ResearchObtains and preserves postal history of all periods for the Western States, including acquiring significant artifacts like the oldest known envelope postmarked in Tucson, Arizona Territory, and gathering historical objects related to mail transportation and distribution.
- Provide research and library services Specialized Research Library AccessOffers free remote research assistance (typically up to 30 minutes), in-person access to collections, photocopying and scanning (subject to limitations), and research tips on stamps and postal history. Services are available to members and the public, supporting scholarly and personal inquiry into postal history and philately.
- Provide research assistance and resources Specialized Research Library AccessOffers free remote research assistance, typically up to 30 minutes, and provides free photocopying and scanning of materials when possible. The organization also offers research tips through its library for topics such as stamps and post office information.
- Stamp Discovery Education Program Living History & Historic Skills EducationOperates the Stamp Discovery Education Program, providing educational services and resources to kids, parents, and teachers, including a youth philately program to stimulate interest in stamp collecting.
research · 3
- Foster study and research of postal history Postal History Preservation & ResearchActively fosters the study and research of postal history, broadening its focus from solely Western postal history to include worldwide collection and study.
- Promote research in postal history Postal History Preservation & ResearchFosters academic and public study of postal history through curated collections, access to archival materials, and support for research. The organization’s collections and services are designed to advance knowledge of postal systems, particularly in the Western U.S., while also expanding to worldwide philately.
- Research and Preservation Postal History Preservation & ResearchFosters the study and research of postal history while acquiring and preserving postal history artifacts from all periods for the Western States.
strategies · 17
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Advance youth engagement in philately youth_engagementEncourages young people to explore stamp collecting through targeted programs like Youth Education thru Stamps (YES), Scout merit badges, and direct outreach, fostering early interest in postal history and philately as educational hobbies.
- Develop and curate specialized collections collection_developmentBuilds and maintains focused museum, library, and archival collections centered on philately, postal history, and U.S. Postal Service materials—especially those related to Arizona—with deliberate acquisition strategies to avoid duplication and ensure research value.
- Engage students through experiential learning with stamps experiential_learningIntegrates postage stamps into educational programming as hands-on, multidisciplinary tools to teach subjects such as history, math, art, and literacy, particularly supporting visual and tactile learners and aligning with school curricula.
- Engage youth in philately through targeted programs youth_educationEncourages young people to explore stamp collecting and postal history through dedicated initiatives like the Youth Education thru Stamps (YES) program, Scout merit badges, and direct engagement with collection methods.
- Ensure public access and community engagement free_accessRemoves financial barriers to access by offering free admission to its museum, library, and store, while actively participating in community events like ARIPEX to broaden outreach and public interaction with postal history.
- Ensure public access and community engagement through free admission and outreach free_accessOffers free admission to its museum, library, and store to lower barriers to access, while participating in public events like ARIPEX to broaden outreach and engagement with the community.
- Fostering youth engagement and education in philately youth_engagementThe organization actively encourages and supports youth philately by engaging young collectors, sharing stamp collection methods, and offering dedicated educational programs like the Youth Education thru Stamps (YES) program and Scout merit badge programs.
- Generate self-sustaining revenue through philatelic sales self_sustaining_funding_through_philatelic_salesOperates a philatelic store and sells custom stamps and envelopes to fund educational programs, particularly the Stamp Discovery Education Program, while also leveraging stamp shows for income, publicity, and donations.
- Generate self-sustaining revenue through philatelic sales self_sustaining_funding_through_philatelic_salesOperates a philatelic store and sells custom stamps and envelopes to fund programs, particularly the Stamp Discovery Education Program, while supporting the hobby and ensuring financial sustainability.
- Generating self-sustaining revenue and support through philatelic sales and community involvement self_sustaining_funding_through_philatelic_salesThe organization operates a philatelic store and sells custom products to support the hobby and generate revenue, while also leveraging a volunteer organization and participating in exhibitions to secure funding, donations, and publicity.
- Promote lifelong learning and curiosity through philately lifelong_learning_through_philatelyConnects people of all ages to postal history and stamp collecting to inspire curiosity, encourage exploration, and support continuous education through accessible and engaging content.
- Promote lifelong learning through philately lifelong_learning_through_philatelyUses postal history and stamp collecting as accessible entry points to inspire curiosity and support continuous education for people of all ages, connecting philately to broader historical, cultural, and academic themes.
- Promoting lifelong learning and curiosity through postal history and philately lifelong_learning_through_philatelyThe organization connects individuals to postal history and philately to inspire curiosity and foster continuous learning, utilizing stamps as a versatile educational tool across various subjects and for diverse learners.
- Support research through comprehensive philatelic resources research_supportProvides researchers, historians, genealogists, and the public with access to diverse print, visual, and electronic resources through curated collections in the Slusser Library and Archives, focusing on philately, postal history, and regional (Arizona and Western) postal development to enable scholarly and public inquiry.
- Support research through curated philatelic collections and resources research_supportProvides researchers, historians, genealogists, and the public with access to specialized print, visual, and electronic materials through targeted collection development in philately and postal history, with emphasis on Arizona and the American West.
- Supporting research through specialized collections research_supportThe organization provides diverse print, visual, and electronic resources to connect researchers with information, focusing its library and archives collections on philately, postal history (especially Arizona and Western history), and related secondary materials, acquiring items through purchases and donations based on their historical or research value.
- Use stamps as interdisciplinary educational tools experiential_learningUses postage stamps as hands-on, visual, and tactile learning tools to engage students across multiple subjects—including history, math, art, and literacy—supporting differentiated instruction and curriculum integration.
named programs · 5
what they call their work
Arizona Philatelic Rangers
Youth philately club that participates in stamp shows, dinners, and educational events
Slusser Library Exhibits
Rotating exhibits on themes such as mining and mail, Apollo 11, and Star Trek, drawn from library and archival collections
Stamp Tracks Newsletter
Biannual publication sharing articles on postal history, member contributions, exhibit updates, and foundation news
Tucson Birthday Stamp Design Contest
Annual contest inviting local youth to design commemorative stamps celebrating Tucson’s history and culture
Youth Education Thru Stamps (YES)
Educational program providing stamp-based learning activities and merit badge workshops for youth
relationships · 20
who they work with
- American Philatelic Research Library Partner — Is hosted in the Union Catalog by the American Philatelic Research Library.
- American Philatelic Society Partner — Refers individuals to the American Philatelic Society for stamp authenticating services.
- Arizona & New Mexico Postal History Society Partner — Received a guest submission from members Patrick Spencer and Tom Reyman for the newsletter.
- Arizona Historical Society Government — Certified by the Arizona Historical Society as a historical institution.
- Arizona Historical Society Partner — The Postal History Foundation was initially a department within the Arizona Historical Society and later housed there as the Western Postal History Museum.
- Arizona Philatelic Rangers Partner — A second organization created to support the work of the museum through volunteering, fundraising, and donations.
- Arizona Philatelic Rangers Partner — Hosts a dinner for the Rangers during ARIPEX.
- Arizona Philatelic Rangers Partner — Original fundraising arm of the organization.
- Arizona Pioneers Historical Society Partner — Established a postal history department at the Society, which later became the Western Postal History Museum.
- Blaine and Bessie Slusser Funder — Gifted funds that built the library building and led to the care of Peggy Slusser's Civil War collection.
- IBM Partner — Received volunteer support from IBM during United Way Days of Caring.
- Jack Mount Partner — Volunteer who donated the oldest known envelope postmarked in Tucson, Arizona Territory.
- National Foundation for Asthmatic Children’s Sahuaro School Partner — Affiliated with the school in Tucson in 1964 to establish a youth philately program.
- Peggy Slusser Partner — Her Civil War book and object collection is cared for by the foundation.
- Postcrossing Blog Partner — Featured a blog post about the Postal History Foundation's visit from the Little Mail Carriers and its Stamp Discovery Education Program.
- Raymond H. Weill Co. Funder — Made a large donation of books and a six-volume general stamp collection in October 1960, and continued to provide substantial donations of material.
- USPS Partner — Held a Rudolph stamp event with students in partnership with USPS.
- United States Postal Service Partner — Gives special consideration to objects created by the USPS for its Museum Collection.
- United Way Partner — Participates in United Way Days of Caring, receiving volunteer support.
- University of Arizona Libraries Special Collections Partner — Borrowed Rare Revenue Papers from the University of Arizona Libraries Special Collections for display at ARIPEX.