What:

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States and the U.S. Postal Service, Middletown Post Office is hosting a special event in the lobby (free and open to the public) to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

Highlights of the event include a stamp ceremony featuring the Benjamin Franklin Forever stamp, a kid’s community art show, historical educational games, trivia and a birthday cake for America.  

Who:

Middletown Postmaster Jeanviele Coleman
Connecticut Postal Customer Council Administrator and Treasurer Matthew Scalesse.

When:

July 2, 2026
10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Where:

Middletown Post Office lobby
11 Silver Street, Middletown, CT 06457

Background:

The U.S. Postal Service traces its origin to July 26, 1775, when the Continental Congress named Benjamin Franklin the first American Postmaster General.

Information on Postmasters who served prior to that time is derived from colonial records and is incomplete. Jehosaphat Starr, Sr. was appointed postmaster under the British in 1755.

Wensley Hobby is listed as the first postmaster of Middletown Connecticut and one of the earliest people responsible for bringing an organized postal system to central Connecticut during the American Revolution.

Wensley Hobby was appointed by the Connecticut General Assembly under Goddard's Constitutional Post on May 7, 1775. He was reappointed under the Continental Congress.

Although relatively little survives regarding his personal life compared to more famous revolutionary figures, his role was historically significant because he helped establish reliable communications at a time when the colonies were fighting for independence.

The Post Office in Middletown was established in 1775, the same year the Revolutionary War began. Wensley Hobby was appointed its first postmaster and remained in the position until October 1807 – an extraordinary tenure of roughly 32 years.

“I am thrilled to be the postmaster of Middletown, CT, and to be honoring such a rich postal legacy,” said Jeanviele Coleman.

Out of the 59 different postmasters who were appointed to the Middletown Post Office, only three were women. Coleman is a part of a long legacy that is older than the country itself.

“We are thrilled to be sharing local history with you at our upcoming event. We have games for kids, trivia, local art and of course, refreshments for all, including a birthday cake for America,” said Coleman.

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