In the early 20th century, sending a postcard was an affordable and quick way to connect with loved ones. Often costing just a halfpenny— half the price of a letter —postcards offered a simple yet effective way to share news, greetings, and sentiments. This exhibition features historical postcards from Oshawa, drawn from the Thomas Bouckley Collection. Thomas Bouckley was a passionate collector of all things Oshawa, including postcards, photographs, and ephemera. The postcards on display are more than just snapshots of time—they are windows into the daily lives, humor, and culture of a community.
Particularly charming are the novelty postcards: vivid, humorous, and sometimes cheeky, filled with innuendo, romantic pursuits, and playful exaggerations—much like the memes we share today. While many of these novelty postcards are not specific to Oshawa, they reflect the broader social trends and popular culture of the time.
With the rise of the telephone and other forms of communication, postcards gradually declined in popularity. This exhibition invites reflection on a time when sending a message was a physical act—a piece of paper carrying a piece of someone’s world. Whether humorous, scenic, or exaggerated, these postcards give us a glimpse into the shared experiences, personalities, and cultural identity of historical Oshawa.
