Levitt enjoying fulfillment of dream

By Mary Grothause, The Delphos Herald
Published:  Monday, March 10, 2008 (5 months ago)
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Gary Levitt, right, explains the addition of World War II and Holocaust exhibits at the Delphos Museum of Postal History during its unveiling in January.Jefferson Award winner Gary Levitt is being honored for his volunteer service while enjoying the fulfillment of his dream.
Levitt, now retired from the postal service, served as Delphos postmaster from 1993 to 2004. He is the founder and curator of the Delphos Museum of Postal History and held various offices in the community, including board president of the Delphos Chamber of Commerce.
Esther Bielawski, who nominated Levitt for the Jefferson Award, said Levitt became interested in creating a postal museum for Delphos after finding old photos and blueprints for the building in the post office basement.
“In just two years, by 1995, he had the museum going; it’s one of only two postal museums in the nation,” she said.
By 1991 Levitt felt the museum was “looking a little tired” so he began anew with museum displays.
“By 2001 it had a whole new look, including the Walter Wolery Stamp Room,” he said with pride.
Since Levitt’s retirement, he has breathed new life into the museum, which is housed in the basement of the post office and open for tours from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month.
Displays include items relating the history of postal service and modes of transportation the mail. Levitt collected many items retired from the Smithsonian Museum of Postal History in Washington, D.C.
The most recent display, opened on Nov. 18, 2007, relates to the philatelic aspects of the Holocaust and World War II. Levitt credits Diane Bendele who painted the murals and Travis Roxlau with the National Holocaust Museum for their assistance. Funding for the project was provided by the Arnold C. Dienstberger Foundation and the Ethel and Nathan Cohen Foundation.
The museum also includes  the Delphos Room with blueprints for the current post office; the Main Post Office Room with postal equipment designed by Ben Franklin; the Transportation Room, with unique mailboxes, a 1910 rural carrier coach; the Letter and Stamp Room with printing plates and hand cancellers; the theater; the Wolery Stamp Room which houses stamps collected by Dr. Walter Wolery; the library; and each hallway is fill with points of interest.
Delphos Herald Publisher Murray Cohen said Levitt’s work is good for the community.
“He has brought so much to Delphos,” Cohen said. “It is rare to find a transplant put so much into a community. He came here, embraced us and became one of us. Gary will be remembered here for his efforts for a long time.”
The newest displays at the museum earned Levitt and Delphos international as well as national headlines.
Levitt said he is honored to be named a finalist.
“It reflects on the people of Delphos and the Allen County area. I am very thankful,” he added.

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