Toronto’s First Post Office Museum
Toronto’s First Post Office Museum is Canada’s oldest surviving purpose-built post office still in operation, located in the heart of Toronto’s historic St. Lawrence Old Town neighbourhood. Operated by the Town of York Historical Society, Toronto’s First Post Office Museum tells the stories of the Town of York and the early City of Toronto (1793-1851) and helps Toronto’s current residents and visitors to engage with these stories through exhibits, monthly events, and guided tours.
As a registered National Historic Site and authorized dealer of Canada Post, we fulfill the original intended purpose of the building by operating a fully functioning Post Office, year round, which compliments our curated stationery gift shop featuring local and Canadian artists. Our building and its history continues to stand as a testament and gateway to the past and allows visitors to connect with the stories of those who came before us.
National Trust Members who visit the Toronto’s First Post Office Museum can enjoy a FREE quill letter writing experience complete with a wax seal.
Location
260 Adelaide St E
Toronto, ON
Plan Your Visit
For more information about Toronto’s First Post Office, please visit their website.
Toronto’s First Post Office is also on Instagram and Facebook.
Enjoy FREE admission at this historic place with your National Trust membership.
Become a member today!
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The Passport Places network is made possible through valued partnerships with Canadian heritage organizations, site operators and owners.
Look for the following logo at participating historic sites. Partner Organization: Town of York Historical Society |
Travel back in time to 1833 and discover a seven year snapshot of history, frozen in time, when Ontario’s capital transitioned from the muddy little Town of York to the ever-growing and changing City of Toronto! Nestled in the historic Old Town area, Toronto’s First Post Office Museum was established in 1983 and continues to be managed and operated by nonprofit and charitable organization, the Town of York Historical Society. Through permanent and changing exhibits, Toronto’s First Post Office Museum tells the stories of life in the Town of York and the early city of Toronto (1793-1851) and helps visitors to engage with these stories, particularly through the lens of community, communication, and built heritage showcased throughout our permanent and rotating temporary exhibits.
Originally built to be a post office, the building was opened in 1833 by Toronto’s first Postmaster, James Scott Howard, and served as a community hub for communication and socialization, as it was the only place that could connect citizens to family and friends living abroad. Today, it allows visitors to live the same experience of Toronto’s 19th century citizens, by trying their hand with a quill and ink, while learning about the building’s history and its fate after the Rebellion of the 1837.
The Museum is open all year round seven days a week, offering a variety of events including an Annual Speaker Series and Fundraiser, and walking tours through Old Town covering a variety of topics including the Early Riots of Toronto and the War of 1812. We also offer research and library services by appointment for those who are interested in learning more about this time period and early mail history.
As one of the earliest historic buildings in Toronto being used for its original intended purpose, this hidden gem operates a fully functioning Post Office, as an authorized dealer of Canada Post, which allows visitors to send their mail directly, complete with two hand cancels unique to our site. In addition, visitors can peruse through our ever-expanding stationery gift shop which showcases local and Canadian artists and products.
Toronto’s First Post Office Museum is a one-of-a-kind place that has something for everyone and we can’t wait for you to experience one of Toronto’s best hidden secrets!
We have two virtual tours of the Old Town neighborhood:
