THE HISTORY OF THE POSTAL HISTORY FOUNDATION

The history of the Foundation dates back to 1960 when its founder
Bill Alexander began the Western Postal History Museum. Mr. Alexander
began the process of restoring past philatelic literature and 
achievements into one location. Bill enlisted the cooperation of Dr.
Ray Brandes of the Arizona Pioneer's Historical Society in establishing
a postal history department. The program objectives were to:

1. Organize a youth educational program to bring philatelic and postal
history knowledge to youth at all levels. 
2. Obtain and preserve specimens of the mail of all periods for the 
Western States.
3. Gather a collection of historic objects related to the transportation
and distribution of the mail.
4. Foster the study and research of postal history.
5. Organize a sponsoring society of philatelists, historians, and others
who are devoted to this fascinating and important aspect of our country's
postal activity.

After several key activities, the museum began receiving tremendous 
donations of stamps and philatelic material in 1961.



In 1978, the museum moved to its present location at 920 N. First Ave.
in Tucson, Arizona. In 1990, the name was changed to the Postal History
Foundation to reflect its expanded interest and outreach programs.

The building on First Ave was originally a church and minister's
quarters. Much expansion and adjusting of space occurred. A contract
was received for a philatelic station in the building and the front
of the building was altered to create another room. This new philatelic
station required more volunteers and a full time postmaster. 

The latest change occurred when an extremely generous donation of three
quarters of a million dollars was received from the family of Peggy
Slusser. This donation was to assist in building a new philatelic library
building. The property next door was purchased and construction was planned.
However, setting up the library would prove to be quite a challenge.

In 1920, soldiers returning from WWI were sent to homes in this part of
Tucson to recover from the terrible gas attacks suffered during the war.
Homes in this area of Tucson are considered part of a historical 
district. The property purchased for the library was filled with termites,
asbestos, and was in complete disrepair. However, because of its historical
status, it took a two-and-a-half year battle ending in court to allow the 
old building to be destroyed.

To allow for a beatiful library, the main Foundation building was altered
and a new court yard built. Finally in October, 1996, the new library was 
opened. Many thanks go to the Slusser family for making this important
library a reality.   
 
The mission of the Postal History Foundation is to 
promote an appreciation of stamp collecting and postal 
history through the preservation of philatelic collections, 
literature and documents, and the enhancement of youth 
education using stamps as teaching tools.

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Postal History Foundation, 920 N. First Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719