Canadian Postal Museum
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Postal Museum (CPM) is housed within the Canadian Museum of Civilization
in Gatineau
, Quebec
. It has been described as one of the largest postal museums in the world, ranking second in annual attendance. The museum is not primarily about postage stamps, although it has a first-class collection that numbers in the tens of thousands. Rather, it presents the broader story of Canada’s postal heritage
, including the social and economic importance of postal communications throughout the country’s history. It also explores international themes relating to postal communications.
The museum’s collections include a writing desk that belonged to Sandford Fleming
, designer of Canada’s first postage stamp; Canadian and foreign letter boxes and postal uniforms; mail bags and rural mail boxes; post office signs and sorting equipment. The museum has a permanent exhibition, complemented by temporary or special exhibitions. Among the highlights is Reflections of Canada: the National Stamp Collection, which includes examples of every postage stamp ever issued in Canada. In addition to its public exhibitions, the museum has a mandate to collect, preserve and interpret material objects relating to Canada’s postal heritage.
The Canadian Postal Museum was established in 1971 and opened in 1974 as the National Postal Museum. It joined the Canadian Museum of Civilization
in 1988, adopted its current name in 1996, and moved into a permanent space in the Museum of Civilization in 1997.
The Postal Museum is managed by the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, a federal Crown Corporation that is also responsible for the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Canadian War Museum
, the Canadian Children's Museum
, and the Virtual Museum of New France.
, CHIN
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
.
Canadian Museum of Civilization
The Canadian Museum of Civilization is Canada's national museum of human history and the most popular and most-visited museum in Canada....
in Gatineau
Gatineau
Gatineau is a city in western Quebec, Canada. It is the fourth largest city in the province. It is located on the northern banks of the Ottawa River, immediately across from Ottawa, Ontario, and together they form Canada's National Capital Region. Ottawa and Gatineau comprise a single Census...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. It has been described as one of the largest postal museums in the world, ranking second in annual attendance. The museum is not primarily about postage stamps, although it has a first-class collection that numbers in the tens of thousands. Rather, it presents the broader story of Canada’s postal heritage
Postage stamps and postal history of Canada
The postal history of Canada falls into four major periods: French control , British control , colonial government control , and the Dominion of Canada, since 1867.- Origins :...
, including the social and economic importance of postal communications throughout the country’s history. It also explores international themes relating to postal communications.
The museum’s collections include a writing desk that belonged to Sandford Fleming
Sandford Fleming
Sir Sandford Fleming, was a Scottish-born Canadian engineer and inventor, proposed worldwide standard time zones, designed Canada's first postage stamp, a huge body of surveying and map making, engineering much of the Intercolonial Railway and the Canadian Pacific Railway, and was a founding...
, designer of Canada’s first postage stamp; Canadian and foreign letter boxes and postal uniforms; mail bags and rural mail boxes; post office signs and sorting equipment. The museum has a permanent exhibition, complemented by temporary or special exhibitions. Among the highlights is Reflections of Canada: the National Stamp Collection, which includes examples of every postage stamp ever issued in Canada. In addition to its public exhibitions, the museum has a mandate to collect, preserve and interpret material objects relating to Canada’s postal heritage.
The Canadian Postal Museum was established in 1971 and opened in 1974 as the National Postal Museum. It joined the Canadian Museum of Civilization
Canadian Museum of Civilization
The Canadian Museum of Civilization is Canada's national museum of human history and the most popular and most-visited museum in Canada....
in 1988, adopted its current name in 1996, and moved into a permanent space in the Museum of Civilization in 1997.
The Postal Museum is managed by the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, a federal Crown Corporation that is also responsible for the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Canadian War Museum
Canadian War Museum
The Canadian War Museum is Canada’s national museum of military history. Located in Ottawa, Ontario, the museum covers all facets of Canada’s military past, from the first recorded instances of death by armed violence in Canadian history several thousand years ago to the country’s most recent...
, the Canadian Children's Museum
Canadian Children's Museum
The Canadian Children's Museum is located inside the Canadian Museum of Civilization, in Gatineau, Quebec. The CCM is among the most popular museums in the country, attracting about half a million visitors each year. It is also Canada's largest exhibition centre designed specifically for children...
, and the Virtual Museum of New France.
Affiliations
The Museum is affiliated with: CMACanadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museums Association is a national organization for the promotion of museums in Canada.The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The...
, CHIN
Canadian Heritage Information Network
The Canadian Heritage Information Network is a Canadian government-supported organization that provides a networked interface to Canada's heritage, largely through the World Wide Web. It aims to give access to Canada's heritage for both Canadians and a worldwide audience, by supporting the...
, and Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada
The Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
.