Fundraiser honours first black postman

The Town of York Historical Society will present a preview performance of “The Postman,” a tribute to the life and career of Albert Calvin Jackson on March 6 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Lawrence Hall.

Jackson was appointed to the position of letter carrier by federal authority in May of 1882. When he showed up for work, however, none of the other postmen would show him the rounds. So Jackson was given the porter’s job in the hope that the situation would just iron itself out. It did not. Instead, it became a polarizing issue in the press and on the streets of Toronto, until Prime Minister John A. Macdonald intervened.

The production was initiated by award-winning actor/director David Ferry and actor and DeGrassi alumnus Dean Ifill. An ensemble show with a large cast, it encompasses gospel, folk, blues and more contemporary musical genres in a rousing tribute to Jackson.

Since 2005, the Town of York Historical Society has been observing Toronto’s birthday on March 6 with a show that both celebrates the history of this great city and raises funds for Toronto’s First Post Office, a museum and National Historic Site.

The silent auction (added in 2014) will return this year.

Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased in person at Toronto’s First Post Office, 260 Adelaide St. E.

For more information about the show call (416) 865-1833 or email tfpo@total.net. For more information about the Town of York Historical Society, please visit www.townofyork.com.