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

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.

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 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) 

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."

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 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 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 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

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