Built in 1833, Toronto’s First Post Office is a museum and full-service Canada Post outlet operated by The Town of York Historical Society, which was formed in 1983 by a core group of architects, curators and historians who volunteered their expertise during the restoration of a number of historical buildings at Adelaide and George Streets, including the Post Office.

As a museum, Toronto’s First Post Office serves as a hub for sharing the history of the Town of York and the early City of Toronto. The Post Office also hosts monthly Letter Writing Socials organized by the Toronto Letter Writers Society, in addition to a variety of other events and exhibits. They offer volunteer opportunities, matching applicants’ skills, interests and experience with the museum’s needs – and volunteers have the chance to expand their skills and community engagement.

We help Toronto’s current residents and visitors to engage with these stories, particularly through the lens of community, communication, and built heritage.

— Toronto’s First Post Office

In addition, they have an online shop that carries a variety of stationery supplies, including greeting cards, notebooks, wax seals and quills; as well as activity kits; totes and bags; art, books and music; and more.

(Photo credits: Toronto’s First Post Office)

What we like about this museum

We applaud The Town of York Historical Society’s efforts toward providing a hub for residents and visitors to explore Toronto’s early community and communication history at Toronto’s First Post Office. More than a museum and postal outlet, it’s an educational and social venue for those who want to dive into the Town of York and the early City of Toronto’s history, discovering and sharing the stories behind Toronto as we know it today.

We also appreciate how they’re home to the Toronto Letter Writers Society’s monthly letter writing socials, keeping handwritten correspondence alive and well in a fun – and historic – atmosphere where participants can brush up their penmanship and cursive skills. There’s something special – intimate and personal – about writing and receiving a physical letter, handwritten on paper, that text and email simply can’t duplicate. (Written by C.M.)

Accessibility information: There is a stair-free entrance at the rear of Toronto’s First Post Office. Enter the courtyard behind the Post Office building from the laneway just east of 262 Adelaide Street East, or just south of the Post House Condo on George Street. Look for the ramp and a sign that says “Toronto’s First Post Office.”

Ideas for where you can go from here:

• • Visit the Toronto’s First Post Office website. If you’re in the Toronto area, drop by for a visit: 260 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Shop their interesting selection of stationery and merch.
  • Check out their upcoming events.
  • Take a look at their volunteer opportunities.
  • Follow the Toronto Letter Writers Society to keep up to date on their free monthly letter writing socials.

We love museums because they inspire you to explore the history of community. Exploring the history of community allows you to engage with cities, towns and their residents past and present in a more meaningful way. Engaging with cities, towns and their residents past and present in a more meaningful way is part of the flourishing offline life Young W helps you discover: by exploring CITIES and the other 8 pillars of Arts & Letters, including those you may be hesitant to try.

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