<p>This collection is designed to support the exhibition "Every Eye Is Upon Me: First Ladies of the United States" at the National Portrait Gallery. “Every Eye Is Upon Me: First Ladies of the United States,” is the first major exhibition to explore the historical significance of this prominent position through the mode of portraiture. The exhibition spans nearly 250 years, from Martha Washington to Melania Trump, and features more than 60 portraits of the First Ladies, alongside related ephemera including iconic dresses. On view Nov. 13 through May 23, 2021, the exhibition is curated by Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw, the National Portrait Gallery’s senior historian and director of history, research, and scholarly programs.</p> <p><br>The exhibition’s title references a quote from an 1844 letter written by Julia Gardiner Tyler to her mother after she married President John Tyler. The Portrait Gallery’s presentation uses Tyler’s quote as a point of departure to examine the responsibilities and significance First Ladies have had since 1789, when Martha Washington became the first woman to fill the role. The exhibition highlights the women who entered the White House through marriage alongside others who were relatives or family friends recruited into service such as Dolley Madison, who served as White House hostess for Thomas Jefferson before James Madison.</p>

<p>In this collection, explore some surprising things you can mail as well as some postal legend and stories with the National Postal Museum. We hope you are inspired to send your own creative mail and take a deeper dive into postal history!</p>

<p>This Learning Lab collection is the 1776 to 1865 section of the US History Through the National Postal Museum Learning Lab group. To go to the main page of the US History through the National Postal Museum Learning Lab group, please <a href="https://learninglab.si.edu/q/ll-c/bZfRiev6z5hkrljs">click here</a>. </p> <p>Explore a timeline of US history using collection objects from the National Postal Museum! This collection is living and will grow as the National Postal Museum collects and digitizes more objects. While we cannot capture every event or person in US history, we welcome any suggestions for collection items from the National Postal Museum to add to this Learning Lab to be emailed to us at <a href="mailto:NPMEducation@si.edu" target="_blank">NPMEducation@si.edu</a>. </p>

<p>This Learning Lab collection is the 1866 to 1929 section of the US History Through the National Postal Museum Learning Lab group. To go to the main page of the US History through the National Postal Museum Learning Lab group, please <a href="https://learninglab.si.edu/q/ll-c/bZfRiev6z5hkrljs">click here</a>.</p> <p>Explore a timeline of US history using collection objects from the National Postal Museum! This collection is living and will grow as the National Postal Museum collects and digitizes more objects. While we cannot capture every event or person in US history, we welcome any suggestions for collection items from the National Postal Museum to add to this Learning Lab to be emailed to us at <a href="mailto:NPMEducation@si.edu" target="_blank">NPMEducation@si.edu</a>.</p>

<p>This Learning Lab collection is the 1930 to 1965 section of the US History Through the Postal Museum Learning Lab group. To go to the main page of the US History through the National Postal Museum Learning Lab group, please <a href="https://learninglab.si.edu/q/ll-c/bZfRiev6z5hkrljs">click here</a>.</p> <p>Explore a timeline of US history using collection objects from the National Postal Museum! This collection is living and will grow as the National Postal Museum collects and digitizes more objects. While we cannot capture every event or person in US history, we welcome any suggestions for collection items from the National Postal Museum to add to this Learning Lab to be emailed to us at <a href="mailto:NPMEducation@si.edu" target="_blank">NPMEducation@si.edu</a>.</p> <p></p>

<p>Careful Consideration: the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee and Stamps to Represent a Nation. This Learning Lab collection has been created to support and connect to the National History Day theme for the 2021-2022 school year, <em>Debate & Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences</em>. The Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) performs a delicate dance of debate and diplomacy as they choose and implement designs to represent the United States. </p> <p>For more resources related to National History Day from the National Postal Museum, please visit the <a href="https://postalmuseum.si.edu/national-history-day-2021-2022">National Postal Museum's National History Day webpage</a>.</p> <p></p> <p>#NHD 2022</p>