The Town of York Historical Society was born of the interest generated by the restoration, in the early 1980s, of an historically significant group of buildings in what is currently downtown Toronto. These included the Bank of Upper Canada (1827) and York's fourth post office (Toronto's first) constructed in 1833. Many experts – architects, historians and curators – 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 was set aside for the establishment of a museum. The Society's first order of business was to accurately recreate its historical interior in order to reopen the post office in December of 1983 – its 150th anniversary. The Society now operates Toronto's First Post Office as a museum, a National Historic Site and an active working post office. This is an appropriate continuation of the site's original purpose.
The Scugog Shores Museum is located on beautiful Scugog Island, overlooking the town of Port Perry. The mission of the Museum is to preserve, research, interpret and exhibit artifacts that illustrate the cultural and natural history of the area. The Museum grounds are home to 12 restored buildings in the historic village, heritage flower and vegetable gardens and the Ojibway Heritage Interpretive Lands.