O'Connor House - one of three buildings remaining on the former 850-acre O'Connor Estate/Maryvale Farms of the 1930s. There is a risk of losing it if we do not work together to save it and bring it back to life.

The man who built O'Connor Estate was Frank O'Connor - who, with his wife, Mary Ellen Hayes, were the founders of Laura Secord Candies in 1913. Who has not enjoyed a box of Laura Secord jellied candies or melt-in-your-mouth chocolates. And, did you know, that during the war years of rationed sugar, and other basics, that people would give their ration to Frank so he could continue to make the candies to send away to their beloved soldiers.

Why it is important to be part of this project is because it is North York at its finest. O'Connor House stands on its original foundation - unlike several other historic North York homes which have been moved. It has "good bones," a solid foundation, and architecturally, has beauty and balance. Who does not experience their heart, mind and soul uplifted in the presence of beauty and balance.

O'Connor House, the Coach House and Shed/Outbuilding are located at 60 Rowena Drive on the Senator O'Connor College School grounds (south west quadrant, Victoria Park & Ellesmere).

Who wins: the local community, youth and adults of all ages will benefit from the restoration of this fine property. It will be a place enlivened with music, the arts, local and historical presentations, and the opportunty to share our wide and varied immigrant diaspora stories - modelled in existing Celtic, African and Asian Heritage projects.

Who loses: the local community, youth and adults of all ages will lose the promise of edification through a shared project of rich possibilities. A nugget of rich history could be lost and the reference point that we have become used to seeing on this location could become diminished.

Who cares: Toronto Heritage; Members of O'Connor Irish Heritage House working diligently this past three and a half years to save the O'Connor House; local Councillors, local Ratepayers' representatives, Toronto Preservation members, and many Volunteers want to give North York communities, particularly Maryvale, Parkwoods-Donalda, Wexford, Victoria Village this gift of your history.

Join us and be a part of your important local history. Begin by completing the Community Survey at: www.oconnorhouse.ca and......"see you Sunday!"