The Town of York Historical Society

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WHAT IS THE TOWN OF YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY?

The stated purpose of the Town of York Historical Society to “research, interpret and promote the history of the town of York and early Toronto, and to foster the preservation of the town of York’s surviving built environment.”

The Society was born of the interest generated by the restoration, in the early 1980s, of an historically significant group of buildings including the 1827 Bank of Upper Canada and York’s fourth post office, constructed in 1833. Many experts – architects, historians and curators – had volunteered assistance during the restoration project. From this core group, the Town of York Historical Society was formed in February of 1983. The first-floor location of the old post office having been set aside for the establishment of a museum, the Society’s first order of business was to recreate as accurately as possible its interior in order to reopen the post office – already a designated National Historic Site – on its 150th anniversary.

The Town of York Historical Society has been the recipient of numerous awards, including and Award of Merit from the Toronto Historical Board (1987), the Scadding Award of Excellence from the Ontario Historical Society (1988) and an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation (1993).

New members are always welcome. Membership in the Society helps in ways that exceed its nominal cost; as a statement of solidarity it conveys the message that heritage matters. Donations above annual fees are always gratefully appreciated as those funds can be used to enhance core museum functions such as collections care, exhibitions and publications. Your membership entitles you to receive (in the mail, of course!) the TYHS newsletter and invitations to all events sponsored by the Society or held at Toronto’s First Post Office. It also entitles you to a 10% discount in the gift shop.

The annual general meeting of the Town of York Historical Society is held in May of every year and features a guest speaker on some aspect of postal, municipal or architectural history. The organization also participates in Doors Open Toronto, and hosts an annual Christmas Open House with mulled cider served by the fire. Contact us if you are interested in becoming a member.

WHAT IS TORONTO’S FIRST POST OFFICE ?

Toronto's First Post Office

In 1834 when the town was incorporated as a city, York’s fourth post office became Toronto’s first. It had been built the previous year by James Scott Howard, then postmaster of York, and originally served him as both post office and family residence. Its proximity to the Bank of Upper Canada, from whom Howard had purchased the plot of land, created a financial centre and communications hub for a city that was home to about 9,000 people.

The bank’s directorship was made up of the same political elite – known as the “Family Compact” – who drew the wrath of those who argued for a more egalitarian system of government. Postmaster Howard was a political neutral but he became caught up in the Rebellion of 1837, was framed as an aid to the rebels and unfairly dismissed without formal charges. His position was given to Charles Albert Berczy, best known for his later founding of the Consumers Gas Company. Berczy resided in the post office until 1839 when he relocated operations to Front Street west of Yonge.

Mr. Howard, who had moved his own family north to a farmstead in 1835, rented the building to various tenants until he was able to sell it in 1841. From then until 1870 it was the home of hardware merchant Thomas Denne Harris. In 1873 Harris sold it to the Christian Brothers who ran a school out of the old bank building (the bank had failed in 1866) and had opened the adjoining addition in 1872. Over the course of a century, as the neighbourhood changed from residential to commercial and industrial, the block at Duke (now Adelaide) and George Streets changed hands many times. By the mid 1970s, while the area was on a financial upswing, these old buildings were badly decayed and slated for demolition and redevelopment. A fire on June 30, 1978, consumed the whole complex, leaving it roofless and seriously damaged throughout. Rescued by private hands and lovingly restored, Toronto’s First Post Office reopened in December of 1983 under the direction of the Town of York Historical Society.

Today, Toronto’s First Post Office operates in many roles. It thrives as a full-service post office, authorized by Canada Post, serving a vibrant and multicultural community. As the sole surviving example of a British Colonial post office in Canada (the Canadian postal service was established in 1851) it is the only museum in Canada that collects and studies pre-confederation British North-American postal history. Its library and archives are available to researchers by appointment. As a heritage site it tells the story of the Royal Mail in Upper Canada, of Toronto’s first postmaster and of the rebellion that had such an effect upon his career. A scale model of Toronto in 1837 helps provide a context for the post office that played such a central role in the early life of the city and of Upper Canada.

Visitors to Toronto’s First Post Office are given the opportunity to write letters with a quill pen and seal them with wax as was done in the 1830s. Special occasion letters, such as Valentines and letters to Santa, can be written on coloured paper and decorated with ribbons, lace and other fancy things. The museum’s education programs are designed to complement the school curriculum but that doesn’t mean they aren’t fun for everyone.

HOW TO GET THERE

Toronto’s First Post Office is located at 260 Adelaide Street East across from George Brown College. It is one block north of King and 1½ blocks east of Jarvis.

CARS Paid parking is available to the north side of the building; enter off George Street.

TTC A walk from the King subway station is under ten minutes or, if you prefer, eastbound streetcars can be taken for two stops.

Wheelchair access is available at the north entrance only, via the George Street parking lot. Please call in advance if wheelchair access is required as the lot is invariably crowded.

HOURS Monday to Friday: 9-4
Weekends: 10-4
Closed on holiday Mondays and the Sundays preceding them.

ADMISSION is free (donation suggested).

Toronto’s First Post Office is operated by the Town of York Historical Society, a legally incorporated non-profit organization and registered charity. Gratefully acknowledged is the support of the City of Toronto; the Ontario Ministry of Culture; our members, donors and customers; and Canada Post Corporation.