Toronto‘s First Post Office is a working post office, museum and National Historic Site at 260 Adelaide Street East in the Old Town district, east of downtown Toronto. It opened in 1834, the year the Town of York became the City of Toronto, and is Canada’s oldest purpose-built post office still in operation. The Town of York Historical Society runs it as a museum, stationery gift shop and full-service Canada Post dealer. Visitors come to see how letters moved through 19th-century Upper Canada and to mail something from a building that has done the job for nearly two centuries.
What to Expect at Toronto’s First Post Office
The red-brick Georgian building was the fourth York post office and the first built for the purpose. It was run by postmaster James Scott Howard. Inside, the restored front room recreates an 1830s postal counter, with wooden pigeonhole sorting cubbies and period furnishings. Before stamps existed, recipients paid postage on delivery, and they collected their mail in person at this counter.
Staff in the museum rooms explain how letters were folded, sealed with wax and carried across the colony. A detailed scale model shows the Town of York as it looked in 1837. Rotating exhibits draw on the society’s collection and research library. Visitors can also write a letter with a quill pen and ink and post it on the spot.
- Quill-and-ink letter writing: Write by hand at period desks, seal the letter, then mail it.
- 1830s postal counter: A restored sorting area with historic pigeonholes.
- Town of York model: A scale model of the settlement in 1837.
- Stationery gift shop: Fine paper, sealing wax, pens and Toronto-themed cards.
- Working Canada Post counter: Buy stamps and send mail with a heritage postmark.
Toronto’s First Post Office at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 260 Adelaide St E, Toronto, ON M5A 1N1 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Old Town / St. Lawrence |
| Operating Hours | Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm; Sat 10am–4pm (30-minute lunch closure); Sun 12–4pm; closed holiday Mondays |
| Admission / Price Range | Admission by donation; no tickets required ($) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | 504 King streetcar at Jarvis or Sherbourne; 501 Queen streetcar; Green P lots nearby |
| Official Website & Phone | townofyork.com · +1 416-865-1833 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit. Groups of more than five should email [email protected] before arriving. Check the official homepage for occasional closures, such as September 30. From King subway station on Line 1, take the 504 King streetcar east to Jarvis or Sherbourne, then walk about three minutes north to Adelaide. Street parking is limited, so municipal Green P lots on Jarvis and Richmond are the easier option.
The museum is small and on one historic ground floor, with compact rooms. Wheelchair and stroller users should call ahead to confirm entrance access. St. Lawrence Market is about a seven-minute walk south. St. James Cathedral and its gardens are eight minutes west. The Distillery District’s cobbled lanes are about fifteen minutes southeast.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Toronto’s First Post Office open?
It is open daily: weekdays 9am–5:30pm, Saturdays 10am–4pm and Sundays 12–4pm. It closes on holiday Mondays. Weekday mornings are the calmest.
Does it cost anything to visit?
No tickets are needed and admission is by donation. Stamps, postage and gift shop stationery are paid separately.
How long should I spend there?
Allow 30 to 60 minutes. That leaves time to see the exhibits, write a quill letter and browse the shop.
Is it good for families?
Yes. Children enjoy writing with quill pens and sealing their letters. The rooms are compact, so call ahead about stroller or wheelchair access.
When planning your Toronto travel guide or browsing verified local history museum in Toronto, pair this stop with standout local spots including MZTV Museum Of Television, Casa Loma, The Omni King Edward Hotel, and The Market Gallery (0.4 km away).
