Just follow the stamps
As I walked the streets of downtown Toronto this summer I kept second guessing if I was going in the right direction. You see, I was on a quest to find Toronto’s First Post Office. I shouldn’t have worried, as all I needed to do was follow the stamps that soon showed themselves on Adelaide Street East.
Still operates as a Post Office
It was before I started the blog that I actually lived about one hour west of Toronto. Of course, it took a move to Calgary to discover this charming, fully functional historic Post Office. Built in 1833, this Georgian brick building served as the new city of Toronto’s post office until 1839.
Subscribe and find out about amazing events
In addition to being a post office, Toronto’s First Post Office is a museum and National Historic Site that hosts several cool events including letter writing meetups, bullet journal workshops and book launches.
I would encourage you to subscribe to their newsletter as you will get all the info straight away. Even though I don’t live close by, I subscribe since I find it incredibly interesting, and who knows, I may just pop in again one day soon. 
Special philatelic services, including a pictorial cancel stamp
Of course you can only imagine my delight when I realized that I could purchase writing paper with letterhead of the Post Office and use quill pens (very tricky I have to say) and Scottish sealing wax to write a letter and have my postcard or letter stamped with a historically accurate stamp.
Post Office and so much more
I was so grateful to Director and Curator, Janet Walters, of Toronto’s First Post Office. She spent time giving me a tour and sharing with me some of the history behind the Post Office. You should definitely check out this short video showing you more of the Post Office.
A trip to the Post Office was an all day affair
The Reading Room, pictured above, was a room that could be warmed by a fireplace (still in working order today) that people could use to read their mail and also write a return letter.
Janet shared with me that in an era of bad roads and horse-drawn transportation, a round-trip could cost the farmer an entire day’s work, so best to respond to mail while there. It also allowed for assistance from the post master to those that could not read or write.
Glass-fronted post boxes for rent
Not only can you mail your letters from the Post Office, but if you live in the neighborhood today, you can rent one of the glass-fronted post boxes which are replicas of those once used by historic figures such as William Lyon Mackenzie and Egerton Ryerson. I want one!
Behind the mail counter, where I was graciously allowed a behind-the-scenes peek, there are a number of period artifacts as well as, stationery, packages, ledgers, keys and the like.
If you are ever in Toronto, I highly recommend a visit to the Post Office. It will charm you from the moment you set foot inside.
Have you ever been to an old post office before?
Love it! I especially like the piece about the postmaster helping with reading and writing. In this era of automation and depersonalization it’s refreshing to think about the impact that human relationship had for so many people. It would have been a lifeline. Imagine reading someone’s war letters to them or birth announcements. What a privilege!
I know, it is incredible to think of. I can’t imagine that it took all day to get to the Post Office in the first place. So true about it being a lifeline, how much more ‘connected’ people were then, in a meaningful way, they needed each other. Some times, I think, although no less true, we forget that. Thanks for reading along Dominique.
So interesting! You are stirring my interest in visiting the main P.O. in the city where I grew up.
I know that the tiny one that served our suburban community ceased its service long ago and a larger, modern facility was built.
Sounds like you just may have a road trip in your future. Would love to hear all about it Elaine.