The Postal Museum

Earlier this week there was a full on Father Christmas takeover of the museum as we hosted the annual Ministry Of Fun Santa School! Among many important skills, the Santa's in training learnt the art of the perfect Ho Ho Ho and even some festive sign language to ensure all children feel included. And of course, the importance of letter writing and sorting the Christmas post was included on the curriculum. Thank you to the Ministry Of Fun team and Milk & Honey PR | Certified B Corp for ensuring everything ran smoothly on the day. It was a pleasure to host the 26th edition of Santa School, which led to same great media coverage, including featuring in The Guardian's 'Photo of the Day'. Read the Evening Standard's write-up below. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gTBMftvH Photo credits - Matt Alexander Media Assignments/PA

Did you know today is World Digital Preservation Day? Organised by the Digital Preservation Coalition, this annual event seeks to raise awareness of the importance of caring for digital records and artefacts to make these available to future generations. To mark the occasion, archivist Helen has written about how the museum has engaged in 'community collecting' as part of our postal staff engagement work. You can read Helen's blog via the link below. 👉 https://lnkd.in/e_ayVFRT 📸 Leicester Sorting Office, circa 1956. Finding No. POST 118/16396.

Our archive team had a fantastic time as one of the 70 plus organisations who attended History Day at Senate House Library yesterday. Thank you to all the visitors who stopped by our stand to learn more about our collections and records. If you're a researcher, historian or just someone who wants to learn more about how The Postal Museum Archive can support you, then click below. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gyZGAtBX

Tomorrow our Archives Team will be at Senate House Library for History Day 2024 with the Institute of Historical Research. History Day is a day for students, researchers & history enthusiasts to explore library, museum, archive and history collections across the UK & beyond.  If you're planning to come along, make sure to come and say hello to Susannah and co who will be able to help share how the museum can assist with your research projects. Find out more about our History Day contributions below. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eCnDyfYn

We’ve partnered with eco-friendly fashion designer Flotsam Flo to deliver a new range of handmade bags, made from recycled Royal Mail trolley sleeves, to be sold exclusively at The Postal Museum. Based in Cornwall, Flotsam Flo transforms waste materials that cannot easily be recycled into unique handmade accessories, assisted by leading sustainable waste management company Biffa. Founder Kate D. has now turned to transforming donated Royal Mail trolley sleeves, once used to carry letters and parcels. We’re excited to add these new designs to our retail range, which help support the museum’s goal of reaching Net Zero by 2040. This collaborative project, made possible by Royal Mail and Biffa, is helping each organisation progress on their environmental and sustainability goals alongside working with an inspiring independent business. We wanted to say a big thank you to everyone involved including our own retail manager Megan Fox! Click here if you want to find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/4e9ajeb

We’re delighted to announce the arrival of Julia Ross to The Postal Museum as our new Head of Marketing and Development. Julia joins us from Tate following stints at the Royal Academy of Arts and The V&A. Welcome Julia! – we’re thrilled to have you on board.

Britain is a multi-cultural society; however traditional greetings cards have not always reflected this. Our new display ‘Greetings Cards by Black Female Designers’ explores the work of three companies: AfroTouch Design, Huetribe, and KitsCH Noir, who are working to produce more inclusive cards. These greetings cards were selected and purchased to improve representation within our own collection and produced in collaboration with the museum's own Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion working group and will be on display over the next 12 months. Afro Touch Design: Georgina Fihosy is founder of AfroTouch Design. AfroTouch Design is an African-inspired brand that produces personal stationery, greeting cards and gift items that showcase West African designs. Huetribe: Tineka Michelle Smith, the founder of Huetribe, a greetings card publisher, which promotes social inclusivity and celebrates the beauty and diversity of modern day relationships and people of colour. Kitsch Noir: Cherelle Brown, the founder and illustrator of KitsCH Noir, the award winning black greeting cards and stationery brand. She started the brand in 2017 after it dawned on her that she had never received a birthday card that even slightly resembled her. #BlackHistoryMonth

Join our Archivists at History Day 2024 at Senate House, to explore communications history and more in The Royal Mail Archive. Find out what treasures you might uncover, opening up new sources for your research. 👉 https://bit.ly/3Y8AMTf 👉 https://bit.ly/4dUuuMG

The Postal Museum is delighted to be part of this programme from A New Direction. London Primary Teachers! It's your last chance to book The Jolly Postman show for your school. Find out more below. 👉 https://bit.ly/4hamLNn

We're currently hiring for a Venue Sales and Events Coordinator to help the museum plan first-class internal and commercial events across our unique spaces. If you, or someone you know, would like to join one of the newest and most exciting museums in London as part of our Venues and Events team, then head to the link below. Applications close on 13 October. 👉 https://bit.ly/4eNoFBD