SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- City and federal officials gathered Thursday to mark July 2, 2026, as “America 250 and 250 Years of Postal Service Day,” honoring the Springfield Post Office as one of the original 61 post offices that has remained open since the U.S. Postal Service was founded in 1775.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Congressman Richard Neal and City Postmaster Bryan Connaughton took part in the proclamation ceremony.

The Springfield Post Office was part of the Boston Post Road, the route used by Benjamin Franklin, and sits across the street from Union Station, which served as the delivery point for mail in earlier eras.

Connaughton is Springfield’s 37th postmaster. He said the milestone carries personal significance. “It’s been very rewarding being a part of history, being a part of the 250-year anniversary of America and the Postal Service, being a part of the community of Springfield,” he explained.

The post office also served as an employment pathway for veterans returning from deployment.

Neal said the postal service functions as more than a mail delivery system in neighborhoods. “It’s almost like having an additional police force in a neighborhood. They know who might be yelling and for shut-ins. They likely, some days, are the only contact the people might have,” he noted.

Both Neal and Sarno pointed to the value of written correspondence in an era of digital communication. “Through all the contrast between bulk mail and the personal note, I think the personal note has far more meaning and I think that it, in fact, connects you sincerely to the person you’re trying to contact,” Neal explained.

Sarno echoed that sentiment, citing a shift in how people interact. “You see people now, especially young kids, they could be sitting across from each other at a table and they’re not talking to each other. They’re texting each other and you need more social interaction and personalization. I believe that’s what the post office brings, too,” Sarno said.

Sarno also noted the reliability of mail delivery. “Through all weather, that mail shows up and that’s important,” he said.

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