Your History

Mayor David Miller launches our new plaques program

Heritage Toronto — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:10:21 -0500

On March 4th at City Hall, Heritage Toronto and the Toronto Legacy Project launched a new program of commemorative plaques. Each blue plaque will mark a site where a notable artist, scientist, or thinker lived or worked.

Joining Mayor David Miller were Grace Westcott and poet and author Dennis Lee of the Toronto Legacy Project, in addition to Heritage Toronto Board Chair Peter Ortved. The first six plaques recognized writers Milton Acorn, Margaret Avison, Morley Callaghan, Robertson Davies, Gwendolyn MacEwen and E.J. Pratt.

A separate ceremony in the afternoon at the University of Toronto's Massey College presented the plaque honouring Robertson Davies, the former Master.

The program will continue steadily, with six to eight new plaques annually. The first plaques will be installed in the Spring.

For more information on the new plaques, click here.

Grace Westcott

Want to be a Volunteer Walks Assistant?

Heritage Toronto — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:46:58 -0500

Heritage Toronto is now accepting applications for Walk Assistants for the 2010 season.

Walk assistants must be 18 or older, reasonably fluent in English, and
be able to walk and stand for several hours.

The deadline for applications for Walk Assistants is Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Suitable applicants will be asked to come to the Heritage Toronto office for a short (15 minute) interview on Wednesday, March 24 (between 4:00 to 6:00 PM) OR Thursday, March 25 (between 5:00 to 7:00 PM).

Successful applicants must be prepared to attend the mandatory training for new Walk Assistants on Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Walk Assistants must be available to assist on at least four walking tours during the walk season. Tours are conducted on Saturdays and Sundays from May until early October.

Toronto Museum Project now online

Heritage Toronto — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:12:01 -0500

Launched this week, The Toronto Museum Project online (TMp Online) is a virtual exhibit where artifacts are used to explore stories and ideas tied to Toronto's past, present and future. This interactive website weaves 100 artifacts, 100 Torontonians, 100 stories and 100 exhibit ideas into an entirely new way of exploring Toronto's history.

One-hundred Torontonians of diverse backgrounds were invited to react to these artifacts by sharing their personal stories that were inspired by viewing them. A number of stories were provided by prominent Toronto politicians, artists, community members and cultural figures.

TMp Online partners include Ecentricarts, York University's Augmented Reality Lab, Brookview Middle School and The Toronto Star. The City of Toronto's Museum Services is responsible for the Toronto Museum Project.

To visit the site: http://www.torontomuseumproject.ca/

Heritage in the News

Heritage Toronto — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:43:48 -0500

Heritage Toronto will be providing a weekly recap of heritage news in our city.

Feel free to add your comments at the end of this posting, including any stories we may have missed.

Toronto Museum 2.0 (Toronto Star)

A city that elevates footbridges to a special status (Globe & Mail)

City staff oppose King West tower (National Post)

Proposed demolition irks neighbours (Inside Toronto)

Historicist: Gone but Not Forgotten (Torontoist)

Downsview Hangars Update

Heritage Toronto — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:32:41 -0500

Thank you to the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, and to Paul Oberman of Woodcliffe Landmark Properties, who worked tirelessly to save the Hangars, for this update:

HT & the Toronto Legacy Project launch new Plaque Program

Heritage Toronto — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:38:50 -0500

Heritage Toronto and the Toronto Legacy Project, in partnership, are launching a new program of commemorative plaques that celebrates the bygone lives that helped to build the city of today. Each plaque will mark a site where a notable artist, scientist, or thinker lived or worked.

Many cities have similar programs, such as London, Paris, New York and Barcelona. Toronto has the Cabbagetown People plaques, but this is the first city-wide initiative.

"This program will certainly increase awareness about the depth of talent that has always existed in Toronto," said Mayor David Miller. "These first plaques creatively commemorate some of the writers and poets who played a major role in building Toronto's literary legacy."

"This program will enrich our cityscape," said Toronto's first Poet Laureate and founder of the Legacy Project Dennis Lee. "And it should still be going strong a hundred years from now."

Exhibit highlights historic St. Lawrence Ward

Heritage Toronto — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:57:23 -0500

The Market Gallery presents a special exhibition focussing on the history of Toronto's original neighbourhood. The St. Lawrence Ward: A Pictorial View of Toronto's Oldest Neighbourhood opened on November 14th and has an extended run until April 17, 2010. Maps, photographs and art will provide a pictorial essay illustrating the architecture, economic development and political life of this area.

The history of this neighbourhood dates back to 1793 when land purchased from Aboriginals was settled by the British and named the Town of York. From the original ten blocks including today's Front Street East, King Street East, Jarvis Street, The Esplanade and George Street, the St. Lawrence neighbourhood is today known for its thriving market, cultural attractions and nineteenth century architectural landmarks such as St. Lawrence Hall. Wharfs, railway tracks and muddy streets once claimed this area which later developed into a major industrial area of warehouses by the early twentieth century.

Heritage in the News

Heritage Toronto — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:53:46 -0500

Heritage Toronto will be providing a weekly recap of heritage news in our city.

Feel free to add your comments at the end of this posting, including any stories we may have missed.

Saving Toronto heritage ensures city's future (Toronto Star)

New MPP joins fight to preserve view of Queen's Park (Globe & Mail)

T.O.'s skyline grows up (Toronto Sun)

Couple's commitment to heritage honoured (North York Mirror)

Heritage in the News

Heritage Toronto — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:22:11 -0500

Heritage Toronto will be providing a weekly recap of heritage news in our city.

Feel free to add your comments at the end of this posting, including any stories we may have missed.

Building Storeys: Making Heritage Relevant (Tree Hugger)

Historicist: North American Edifice Complex (Torontoist)

Photo by Rick Harris

Heritage in the News

Heritage Toronto — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:27:29 -0500

Heritage Toronto will be providing a weekly recap of heritage news in our city.

Feel free to add your comments at the end of this posting, including any stories we may have missed.

Czech church site eyed for condos (Inside Toronto)

Colourful history on the walls (Inside Toronto)

Building Storeys - Architect Unveiled: T.C. Pomphrey and the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant (Spacing)

Historicist: Read of the Fifty Days (Torontoist)

Photo of R.C. Harris by Olena Sullivan

Building Storeys Opening Night Photos

Heritage Toronto — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:54:11 -0500

The Building Storeys 2010 opening night took place on February 4th at the Gladstone Hotel. Heritage Toronto was joined by special guests, including Mayor David Miller, and Councillors Adam Vaughan and John Parker and members of the heritage and arts communities.

The free exhibition is open to the public daily until April 25th from 12-5pm.

Heritage Toronto Executive Director Peggy Mooney

Mayor David Miller

Heritage Toronto Board Chair Peter Ortved

Storey Builder Sponsor: The Carpenters' Union Carlos Pimentel

Heritage in the News

Heritage Toronto — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 15:15:54 -0500

Heritage Toronto will be providing a weekly recap of heritage news in our city.

Feel free to add your comments at the end of this posting, including any stories we may have missed.

Time to get to know Uno's Annex (Globe & Mail)

Lieut. David Hornell epitomized bravery (Toronto Sun)

Kingswood Road South receives special heritage designation (Inside Toronto)

Former factory now heritage site (Town Crier)

Building Storeys 2010

Heritage Toronto — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:51:46 -0500

Opening today - February 4th - is our second annual photo exhibition!

After the success of our 2009 exhibit, Building Storeys 2010 returns in February 2010 for a longer stay at the Gladstone Hotel.

A collaborative effort by Heritage Toronto and members of the photography groups the Shadow Collective and the DK Photo Group , Building Storeys is a visual documentation and anecdotal exhibit of city's heritage building and sites. By showcasing some of Toronto's industrial past we hope to change the perception of heritage in our city, by revealing some of the hidden beauty of these sites.

www.buildingstoreys.com

Design Competition for St. Lawrence Market North Building

Heritage Toronto — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:30:31 -0500

Today the five short-listed competitors who will vie for the title of ‘winning design' in the St. Lawrence Market North Building Design Competition were revealed.

The announcement comes after architectural teams across the country and abroad responded to Stage 1 of the competition by submitting expressions of interest, and the City and a professional advisor to the competition narrowed the field to a final list of competitors. Stage 2 of the competition begins today, in which the finalists develop full building designs. These will be exhibited to the public in May.

The list of jury members for Stage 2 was also unveiled today. The jury members, who come from across North America, will deliberate, debate and adjudicate over which design should be chosen for the North Market redevelopment. The redevelopment of the St. Lawrence Market North property is to replace the existing one-storey North Market building with a new four-storey, multi-purpose facility that is more environmentally sustainable, energy efficient and mindful of the character and heritage of the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood.

Heritage in the News

Heritage Toronto — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:27:21 -0500

Heritage Toronto will be providing a weekly recap of heritage news in our city.

Feel free to add your comments at the end of this posting, including any stories we may have missed.

Building Storeys - the Canadian Northern Railway Eastern Lines Locomotive Shop (Spacing)

New life for Shaw St. school as studios for artists (Toronto Star)

Canada Bread to close 3 GTA bakeries (Toronto Star)

City opens door to save 1910 Casa Loma home (Toronto Star)

Toronto Preservation Board Update - January 2010

Heritage Toronto — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:06:45 -0500

Last Thursday, the Toronto Preservation Board voted unanimously to recommend that 7 Austin Terrace (the Maclean House) be included on the City's Inventory of Heritage Properties, and also that the City designate the property under the Ontario Heritage Act.

After a number of speakers, including local MPP Dr. Eric Hoskins and Councillor Joe Mihevc, had spoken strongly in favour of the motion, the lawyer for the owner of 7 Austin Terrace asked for an adjournment. He argued that the process had been "flawed, unfair and prejudicial" to his client. He said that the owner had not had the opportunity to speak at the Toronto and East York Community Council, nor had he received adequate notice of the intent to designate.

TPB members asked whether, if an adjournment were granted, the owner would agree not to recommence demolition until City Council had considered the issue properly. When it became clear that it was not possible to get such a commitment, the TPB voted unanimously to recommend that the property be designated.

Heritage in the News

Heritage Toronto — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 09:33:46 -0500

Heritage Toronto will be providing a weekly recap of heritage news in our city.

Feel free to add your comments at the end of this posting, including any stories we may have missed.

Queen's Own Rifles mark 150th anniversary (Inside Toronto)

Group opposes 'wanton destruction' of venerable building (Inside Toronto)

Historicist: Radio Drama's Irascible and Troubled Prince (Torontoist)

Photo of Maclean House (7 Austin Terrace)

HT Volunteer Positions Available

Heritage Toronto — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:58:37 -0500

Volunteer Writer - Communications Program

(6-month commitment term: February - July 2010; minimum of 4 writing assignments ranging from 500 - 1,500 words)

Heritage Toronto is seeking a group of committed volunteer writers to join our Communications Program for a 6-month term. As a volunteer writer, you will have the opportunity to develop your own writing assignments, conduct historical research to support story details, research accompanying photos and produce articles by the agreed deadline. Your stories will be featured on the Heritage Toronto's website and issued in our e-newsletter, Heritage Columns (3,000 subscribers). Stories produced must be accurate and adhere to the values maintained by Heritage Toronto.

Heritage in the News

Heritage Toronto — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:28:52 -0500

Heritage Toronto will be providing a weekly recap of heritage news in our city.

Feel free to add your comments at the end of this posting, including any stories we may have missed.

Downsview dilemma (Toronto Star)

Protect Ontario's political heritage (Toronto Star)

Two of downtown Toronto's last single-family homes for sale (Globe & Mail)

Move historic building, city staff urge (National Post)

1958 Postcard

Derek Boles — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:38:09 -0500

This 1958 view is looking north along York Street; the roadway in the foreground is Fleet Street, later renamed Lakeshore Boulevard. The grimy looking Royal York Hotel dominates the scene. To the right of it is the relatively pristine 400-room eastern extension of the hotel, which opened in February 1959 at a cost of $14 million. The tall building on the right is the 34-story Bank of Commerce building, from 1931 until 1967 the tallest skyscraper in the city. On the far right can be seen the cluster of skyscrapers at King and Yonge streets that were themselves Toronto's loftiest structures in the first decades of the 20th century.

The modern building on the far left horizon is the 20-storey Lord Simcoe Hotel, opened in 1957 and named after John Graves Simcoe, considered the founder of Toronto. Local historians objected to the name since Simcoe had never been elevated to the peerage but the owners possessed other hotels named after lords and they wanted their Toronto hotel to be consistent with that brand. The hotel was closed in 1979 and demolished in 1980.

Its Not the Trail: It’s the Land it Crosses

Ron Williamson — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:22:31 -0500

I was recently asked to participate in a conference in which I explored the concept of place as that might relate to the origin of the word Toronto and the carrying place trails. While acknowledging that there continues to be discussion about the origin and meaning of our city's name, it is essential to recognize that a sense of place is about "memory" and that memory tends to narrow through time, especially across centuries and cultures. If the original term used to describe a trail was actually exceedingly expansive in its original intent, what does that mean for how we think about and interpret the trail today?

Heritage Toronto Website Survey

Heritage Toronto — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:45:57 -0500

Please help us improve our website by providing your feedback.

Fill out a short survey and you could win a copy of the 2009 Heritage Toronto Book Award of Excellence - Derek Hayes' Historical Atlas of Toronto.

To be eligible to win the prize, all survey results must be received by January 31st, 2010, with the winner announced shortly afterwards.

Click here to take our survey

HT Membership Drive

Heritage Toronto — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:27:02 -0500

Thank you to everyone who responded to our call for membership. We appreciate your support and belief in our work!

Congratulations to the all the winners of the fabulous prizes.

And a special thank you to our community partners who donated the wonderful gifts:

Heritage Toronto will be announcing additional membership incentives in the near future. Stay tuned for more exciting member announcements in 2010!

Update: Downsview Hangars facing demolition

Heritage Toronto — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:19:25 -0500

Courtesy of the Heritage Canada Foundation:

Demolition has been temporarily haulted on the historic Downsview Hangars (Buildings 55 and 58) at former CFB Downsview air base in Toronto, due to public pressure. Discussions continue on the future of the Hangars.

Constructed in 1943, these structures were designated as heritage buildings by the federal government in 1992 for the role they played in Canadian aircraft production during the Second World War. The hangars are owned by the Department of National Defence (DND).

There is strong private sector interest in developing these buildings. Mr. Paul Oberman, President and CEO of Woodcliffe Corporation has been working tirelessly to find a solution that could both meet the needs of DND and save the historic Downsview hangars, including a land exchange under negotitation with Mr. Tony Genco, CEO of Parc Downsview Park. On December 24th, DND offered a short stay of demolition. Now, DND has taken the position that they are not interested in considering any proposals and are not responding to inquiries.

100 years of Grey Cups

Heritage Toronto — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:36:22 -0500

By David Wencer

This December marks the one hundredth anniversary of the inaugural Grey Cup game, when the University of Toronto beat the Toronto Parkdale Canoe Club at Rosedale by a score of 26 to 6. There was little to suggest at the time, however, that this game marked the beginning of one of Canada's proudest and most popular sports traditions.

In 1909, there was no Canadian Football League. The terms "rugby" and "football" were often used interchangeably (or together) and the newspaper accounts of 1909 reveal an interesting hybrid of today's CFL terminology and traditional rugby parlance. Although Canadian football had been played across the country for several decades, it was only in the first decade of the 20th Century that a serious effort began to standardize the rules across Canada. By 1909 there were still many competing leagues, and no adequate means of determining Canada's top football team.