One of this city's best-known personalities, Johnny Lombardi was a pioneer in the promotion of Toronto's cultural diversity. Born in this city to an Italian immigrant family, he quickly achieved success by appealing to the needs of this city's rapidly growing Italian immigrant neighbourhoods - first as the proprietor of a grocery store, opened in 1946, then as an impresario of Italian entertainment. Lombardi is responsible for two vital Toronto institutions: CHIN Multicultural Radio and the CHIN International Picnic.

Nationally recognized for its distinctively Canadian style, Runnymede Branch was designed by John M. Lyle, one of this country's most distinguished 20th-century architects. In the 1920s, a surging sense of national pride inspired Lyle to create a uniquely Canadian architecture that blended European styles with Canadian themes and ornamentation. Runnymede Branch was an early attempt at such a design.

The building is constructed of variegated red and yellow Credit Valley stone, and combines Georgian, French, and early Quebec styles, the latter in its steeply pitched, hipped roof. Lyle used Canadian aboriginal motifs for much of the decoration, including totem poles at the main entrance and arrowheads in the iron railing above. Carvings of native plants and animals also embellish the building. In 1989, the Runnymede Branch was featured on the first in a series of postage stamps celebrating Canadian architecture. The building was most recently restored and enlarged in 2005.

Green Meadows, otherwise known as "The McDougald Estate", was constructed circa 1950 for John Angus "Bud" McDougald and his wife Hedley Maude. Though the main house, an elegant Colonial Revival mansion, is all that is left of the estate today, the McDougald property once comprised 300-acres of land stretching north from what is now Van Horne Avenue to Finch Avenue, and east from Leslie Street to what is now Don Mills Road. Green Meadows was focused around two of Bud McDougald's great interests - horses and antique automobiles. It featured barns for thoroughbreds and a track for racing, and included garages with room for 30 cars. Preserved and restored when the surrounding estate was developed into residential neighbourhoods, the main house remains a fine example of a Canadian Establishment estate house from the mid-twentieth century.

Programme

11am: Heritage Toronto walking tour of Hanlan's Point. Tours will begin at the mainland ferry dock inside the Terminal, or meet at Hanlan's Point Ferry Dock at 11:30 am.

12pm: Tour Toronto harbour with historian and author Mike Filey on the historic Trillium ferry. The ferry will leave the mainland dock at 12pm.

1pm: All guests are asked to assemble near the Gibraltar Point School for the Arts. Fort York Fife and Drum will lead the procession to the lighthouse.

1:30pm: Performance by Shadowland Theatre and official remarks. Following the official remarks and unveiling of Heritage Toronto plaques, guests are invited for tours of the lighthouse.

2-3pm: Afternoon Tea on the lawn of Gibraltar Point School for the Arts.

You are invited to join Peter Ortved, Chair, Heritage Toronto Board, Councillor Joe Mihevc, St. Paul's West, Fredelle Brief, Chair, Community Relations Commitee, Canadian Jewish Congress Charities Committee and Cyril Levitt, Co-Author, The Riot at Christie Pits for the public presentation of a Heritage Toronto plaque to commemorate, on its 75th anniversary, the Riot at Christie Pits.

Sunday, August 17, 2008
11:00 AM

Southeast corner of Christie Pits Park, Christie Street and Bloor Street, across from Christie Subway Station

Light refreshments to follow ceremony

Master of Ceremonies: Judy Stoffman, Chair, Christie Pits Plaque Committee

Heritage Toronto gratefully acknowledges support from the Toronto Star, Rose Corporation, York Heritage Properties, Ltd. , and Ruland Realty for the Riot at Christie Pits plaque project

25 Bellevue Avenue
Bellevue Square
Kensington Market