The Town of York Historical Society, through the operation of Toronto’s First Post Office, tells the stories of life in the Town of York and the early city of Toronto (1793-1851). We help Toronto’s current residents and visitors to engage with these stories, particularly through the lens of community, communication, and built heritage. The original purpose of the building, as a Post Office, was restored by the Society. Within the museum, there is a full-service Canada Post outlet. The postal counter offers current Canadian stamps, USPS stamps (for return mail from the United States), P.O. box rentals, a pictorial cancel, and a reproduction of Toronto’s first cancel, dated March 6, 1834. The museum offers a daily hands-on experience writing with a quill and ink as well as changing exhibits, walking tours, workshops, events, and education programs throughout the year.
Back in the 1830s where letters were the only form of long-distance communication, the post office was an important financial and communications hub for the city’s 9,000 residents.
