What Is the Central Post Office?
This was Mauritius’ main post office for more than a century!
What Makes It Historical?
Before Mauritius had a post office, French slaves had to deliver letters by hand all across the island, a service that the Brits also employed from 1835 until 1836, with letters going inland three times a week! In 1836, they set up the first Central Post Office on La Chausée in Port Louis, and that office served the island for 32 years! Mauritius’ first postage stamps, the Penny Red and 2 Pence Blue, were designed by jewel maker, Joseph Barnard, during this time, circa 1847! By mistake, Mr. Barnard wrote “Post Office” instead of “Post Paid” on his designs, and instead of destroying them, Governor William Gomm stuck 20,000 of them on special event invitations and foreign communications!
Construction of a new Central Post Office began in January 1865 under supervision of Surveyor General Captain William Lawtie Morrison. Actual construction of this colonial Victorian building was done by 80 workers, mostly prisoners from Port Louis and vagrants from the Vagrant Depot of Grand River North West, and started serving postal needs on December 21, 1870! From here, 33 more post offices were set up in Mauritius’ eight rural districts, and a modern postal system had come to the island! Made a national monument in 1958, the Central Post Office now serves as the Mauritius Postal Museum!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
How Do I Get There?
Port Louis Waterfront, Trunk Road
Port Louis, Mauritius
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit?
Visit the museum on weekdays between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, or on Saturdays between 8:30 AM and 12:15 PM!