Curatorial Researcher
National Postal Museum
Smithsonian Institution
PO Box 37012
MRC 570
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
popena@si.edu
Research Interests
Focus on U.S. postal history, emphasis on 1850-present. Labor history, organization and history of U.S. postal employee organizations. Technology - the development and use of technology in postal processing and transportation. Westward expansion - The development of postal services into the Trans-Mississippi area through various transportation systems; specialized history of Overland Mail, Pony Express and Alaskan Territorial history (including gold rush period in Alaska and Canadian northwest). Postal delivery systems including City Free Delivery (1863-present) and Rural Free Delivery (1896-present). The history and development of letter writing as communication method and the impact of electronic communication methods.
Current Research Projects
Pneumatic tube systems developed by the postal service in various urban centers, censorship of mail at various levels and for various needs (the removal of northern jouranls from mails during Civil War for being anti Union, Comstock Act and subsequent obscenity and lottery mailing laws, Sedition Act legislation).
Current or Projected Exhibits
Fad to Fundamental: Airmail in America (the development of America's airmail system from its beginnings in 1911).
Planned renovation of museum's permanent galleries.
Recent Publications
Aside from monthly articles (ghost written for NPM director), I've been focused on writing mostly for exhibits and the newly formed NPM website. Most recent work can be found online at: http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/resources/6g1_WTC.html
Updated -11/28/05
If you have any changes or corrections to this page please contact hudsonp@si.edu