The Spellman Museum - Early Beginnings
This image shows Cardinal Spellman in Rome, at the North American College, in 1921. Here is where he was introduced to the wonderful world of stamps by seminarian Lawrence Killian while they were together at the North American College in Rome, Italy. Cardinal Spellman loved to use stamps as souvenirs, having stamps signed to commemorate events in the church and in the world.
He was joined in this pursuit by Jascha Heifetz and Dwight D. Eisenhower (yes, that Eisenhower). As his collection expanded he asked Fidelma Conway, CSJ, to act as caretaker for his collection in 1938.
He was joined in this pursuit by Jascha Heifetz and Dwight D. Eisenhower (yes, that Eisenhower). As his collection expanded he asked Fidelma Conway, CSJ, to act as caretaker for his collection in 1938.
In 1950 he wrote a sentiment by which the Museum continues to operate, "Stamps are miniature documents of human history. They are the means by which a country gives sensible expression to its hopes and needs; its beliefs and ideals."
In 1960, the National Philatelic Museum in Philadelphia, aligned with Temple University, was dissolved and most of its equipment, literature, and philatelic holdings were transferred to the newly incorporated, not for profit, 501c3, independent and self-supporting Cardinal Spellman Philatelic Museum.
In 1961, ground was broken on the campus of Regis College for the museum, which officially opened in 1963, with PMG J. Edward Day as keynote speaker.
In 1960, the National Philatelic Museum in Philadelphia, aligned with Temple University, was dissolved and most of its equipment, literature, and philatelic holdings were transferred to the newly incorporated, not for profit, 501c3, independent and self-supporting Cardinal Spellman Philatelic Museum.
In 1961, ground was broken on the campus of Regis College for the museum, which officially opened in 1963, with PMG J. Edward Day as keynote speaker.
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As the museum looked in the 1970s
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