Mauritius Postal Museum
What Stories Does Mauritius' Postal Museum Have to Tell? Step Inside to Find Out!
The museum's move to the Central Post Office in Port-Louis (listed as a historic monument in 1958) has given a new dimension to its collection in a more spacious setting - and it’s a must-see!
Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply curious about the island's postal evolution, the Postal Museum promises an enriching experience for all.
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Postal History and Milestones
Early Traditions: Learn about the Dutch practice of hanging message bottles from trees on Tonneliers Island, an ancient islet off the north-west coast of Mauritius, for passing sailors to retrieve.
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1772: The first postal initiative was launched under French occupation by Pierre Nicolas Lambert, founder of the first newspaper, which he had delivered by postal service.
1847: Mauritius, under British occupation, became the first British colony and the fifth country in the world to issue a postage stamp.
Railway Era: Postal services were closely tied to train operations, reflecting the importance of the railway network to mail delivery.
1933: An important milestone was achieved with the delivery of Rodrigues’ first airmail parcel.
In Rodrigues, mail delivery was once done through auctions, showing the island's unique postal history. During the railway era, postal services were closely tied to train operations.
1995: The Mauritius Postal Museum was conceived and initially housed in a former hospital building from the British occupation.
List of Key Exhibits
- History of the Mauritian Post through illustrated panels
- Archive documents
- Objects reflecting postal evolution
- Old letterboxes
- Old counters
- Letter cancelling machines
- Stamps
- Postal bags
- Postman's bicycle (now replaced by the moped)
Good to Know
- The island's philatelic (the study of postage stamps and postal history) reputation is associated with the famous Red Penny and Blue Penny, whose printing error made it the rarest stamp in the world.
- The museum's main attraction is the philatelic gallery, which displays stamps of the Universal Postal Union and the thousands of stamps issued by Mauritius.
A Child-Friendly Attraction
The museum has also thought of children, with shelves set up at their height. The chubby face of Sam the postman, a lovable cartoon character, sums up for them in simple language the great moments of the postal journey.