People of the Passage
March 2026

Photo: The helpful staff of the Eastern Passage Post Office, from left to right, Sharon Mackenzie, Darlene Kuhn, Sherry Baker and Cindy Burns. Photo supplied by the EP Post Office

by Gail Haarsma—The original Eastern Passage post office, known as a “Way Office,” served as a vital link between the area’s fishing and farming communities and the outside world.

According to Nova Scotia Archives, the first post office was established in 1855 at James Hartlen’s residence and store near Hartlen Point Road. It was operated by members of the Hartlen family for more than 60 years.

At that time, letters arrived by boat or horseback for residents eagerly awaiting news from family and friends. This was especially important during the First and Second World Wars. With many local men and women serving overseas, the post office became a gathering place where residents shared information, debated the issues of the day and, at times, received tragic news.

More than a century later, the Eastern Passage post office remains a community hub where residents come to chat, visit and pick up their mail — and copies of The Beacon newspaper.

Postmistress Darlene Kuhn has worked at the post office for 25 years. She notes that before moving to its current building, the post office was located across the street, but it has never lost its sense of community.

“We’re still a gathering place where our regulars come every day or so to check the mail and say hello, even on snow days,” explains Kuhn. “There are people I’ve known since they were two years old, coming with their parents, and now they’re almost 30 and getting married.”

Kuhn refers to her postal team: Sherry Baker (20 years), Cindy Burns (five years) and Sharon MacKenzie (three years), as “the Posties with the Mosties.” With decades of combined experience, the team is committed to ensuring mail reaches its destination.

Kuhn provided examples illustrating the team’s customer service philosophy. “Sometimes we get letters addressed to, for example, ‘Jim Smith, Eastern Passage,’ or in someone’s maiden name. We are forensic detectives, doing everything we can to track down people whose mail comes incomplete or is wrongly addressed,” she said.

This dedication is especially evident during the Christmas season. Kuhn recalls receiving a large package a few days before Christmas with no name or address. “The hunt was on. It was sent by a father and was unexpected on our end. Eventually, we were able to track down the mother, who was in shock that this father sent his kids gifts.”

She also remembers a Christmas Eve power outage that made deliveries difficult. She had to send the staff home because the building was so cold. “I went home. Dusted myself off. Bundled up my kids and me and made our way back to the Post Office. Our ‘get it out; get it delivered’ attitude kicked in, and we handed out parcels all evening by flashlight. We didn’t want any disappointed people if we could help it.”

The Eastern Passage post office also raises funds year-round for the Canada Post Community Foundation. Last year, the foundation raised $1.1 million for literacy, mental health, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and a variety of children’s programs.

Visitors to the post office will often see items for sale on an inside table, including books, purses, puzzles and toys. Proceeds support the foundation, and Kuhn says they have already raised $570 toward the next campaign.

If you have books, toys, or other clean, gently used items, you can donate them to support the fundraiser.

“But don’t be bringing your Encyclopedia Britannica books!” exclaims Kuhn. 

She goes on to thank customers and community members for their support of the organization’s fundraising activities, saying, “We really appreciate it!” 

During the fall and holiday season, visitors may also find Kuhn and Baker dressed for the occasion, and for Baker, glitter is a must at all times. 

“We enjoy our jobs. It is nice to work where we live, and we’re a very good team here. We are proud of the resolution we received from the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, signed by the MLA, for our contribution to the community.”

What began in 1855 as a simple postal outlet has evolved with the addition of postal codes, scanners and digital systems, but its role as a gathering place remains unchanged. The Eastern Passage post office continues to serve as not only a mail facility but also a cornerstone of community life.