Keeping handwritten correspondence alive and well
Join the Toronto Letter Writers Society at Toronto’s First Post Office for their monthly letter writing social, taking place every second Sunday of the month.* Write handwritten letters to family, friends and pen pals from around the world. All are welcome to attend and it’s free! Bring your own supplies or use theirs. If you’re unable to attend in person, email them for the Zoom link so you can still join live, but virtually: torontoletterwriters@gmail.com
A free, monthly drop-in for letter-writers, bullet journallers, and all those who would like dedicated writing time in good company.
About the Toronto Letter Writers Society
The Toronto Letter Writers Society is a group of handwriting enthusiasts – co-run by Jessica Lewis and Andrea Raymond-Wong – who meet for a monthly letter writing social at Toronto’s First Post Office. Writing letters to friends, family and pen pals all over the world, their gatherings also offer the opportunity for people to reconnect with handwriting, including improving their penmanship and finding their cursive writing style.
In a 21st century world of digital device typing and texting, the Society actively works to keep the art of handwriting alive – a skill that can decline over time without practice, and that can benefit fine motor skills and memory. Inspiring people to pick up a pen and put it to paper in a social gathering, they make time and space for a fun, collegial few hours of handwritten messaging.
Listen to this interview with CBC’s The Current, featuring the Toronto Letter Writers Society. The segment also talks about the benefits of handwriting.
About Toronto’s First Post Office
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.
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
(Photo credits: Toronto Letter Writers Society/Toronto’s First Post Office)
Event details
Hosted by: Toronto Letter Writers Society
Type of event: letter writing social
Date: Their monthly letter writing social for August takes place on Sunday, August 13, 2023
Time: Drop in 12:30 – 3:30 PM ET
Duration: 3 hours
Cost: Free
Location: Toronto’s First Post Office, 260 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, ON, M5A 1N1, Canada.
Contact Details: Toronto Letter Writers Society, P.O. Box 174, 260 Adelaide St. E., Toronto, ON, M5A 1N1 (send them a letter – they are always happy to receive mail!); torontoletterwriters@gmail.com
Accessibility: There is a stair-free entrance at the rear of the building. 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.”
* Scheduling may change in certain months to avoid conflicting with holiday weekends.