Tuesday,
April 1, 2025
9:30am
Forty years ago this month, Worthington celebrated Zip Code Day. Our April exhibit looks back at this first-of-its-kind celebration, which honored the history and importance of the U.S. Postal Service.
The year was 1985. Children at the Worthington Presbyterian Church nursery school were singing "We Are the World" and holding a popcorn-sale fundraiser for U.S.A. for Africa. The Shops at Worthington Place (then known as Worthington Square Shopping Center) was testing out a new point-of-purchase system, "PIN Pal," that allowed shoppers to slide their cards and enter a personal identification number to complete the sale. And on April 30 of that year, Worthington would also become the first community in the country to celebrate its own Zip Code Day, 4-30-85.
The event was documented in several articles in the "Worthington News." The first, on April 18, gave an overview of the upcoming celebration, under the headline "City to celebrate Zip Code Day:"
"The event will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 1985, to coincide with the 4-30-85 Zip Code. The U.S. Postal Service headquarters in Washington confirms that Worthington's celebration will be a national first.
"According to the Zip Code Day planners, the purpose of the celebration is to emphasize the importance of writing and communicating and the historical and current role of the U.S. Postal Service. The event is also designed to build community spirit and pride as well as just be fun."
The article outlines the day’s festivities, which would include a proclamation, displays, shopping bargains and a community kite fly and contest, in recognition of Benjamin Franklin, the "father of the postal service." Portrayed by Worthington postal worker William Isaac, Ben Franklin was at Old Worthington Library on April 30 to cancel letters ("foldvelopes" created just for the event) with a postmark featuring the City of Worthington's emblem and the phrase "Celebration Station."
The celebration was a joint effort of the City of Worthington, Worthington Schools, Worthington Arts Council, Worthington Libraries, Olde Worthington Downtown Merchants Association and Chamber of Commerce, and the post office.
A May 2, 1985, front-page article in the "News" by Candy Brooks reflected on the event:
Only in Worthington.
Only in Worthington would 4-30-85 (April 30, 1985) be a day to celebrate.
Only in Worthington would hundreds of citizens turn out to celebrate a date that just happens to coincide with their Zip Code number. Most communities would pass the day by, barely noticing the coincidence.
But not here.
As of Worthington News press time on Tuesday morning, adults and school kids alike were forming lines at the Worthington Public Library to have their special 43085 'foldvelopes' postmarked by 'Ben Franklin.'
Others were inspecting the collection of old letters and stamps on display at the library.
Other events of the day included an opening ceremony and flag raising at the post office, featuring soloist Harold Jones, Columbus Postmaster Gene Scott, former Worthington Postmaster Steve Snouffer and Worthington Post Office Branch Manager Francis Howell; a Zip Code luncheon; and a "Pony Express" rider Kitty Helber, with her horse, Joey.
Brooks' article explained that the idea originated with Worthington resident Nancy Feucht, who wrote a letter to City Manager Dave Elder in October 1984, pointing out the date. Elder shared the idea with John Butterfield, then-assistant to the Worthington Schools superintendent, and the two began to plan.
Zip Code Day occurred at a time when postal service in Worthington was rapidly changing. By 1985, the community had outgrown the sole Worthington Post Office; a hunt had been on since 1983 for a site for an additional facility to relieve the pressure. In October 1987, post office maps revealed that portions of the former 43085 zip code had changed to 43235. In March 1989, an additional Worthington post office opened at 6316 Nicholas Drive.
Forty years later, Worthington's Zip Code Day remains a unique time capsule of a singular date and place.
