On Monday, August 30th, Heritage Toronto and the Toronto Historical Association will host a public mayoral debate at St. Lawrence Hall to discuss the state of heritage in Toronto in 2010. The debate will be moderated by former Chief Planner for the City of Toronto, and Adjunct Professor of City Planning at the University of Toronto and Ryerson University, Paul Bedford.

Heritage Toronto and the Toronto Historical Association have run a series of community consultations throughout the city which will result in a report of what Torontonians see as significant issues relating to heritage preservation. The information collected through the consultations and public input will be used to develop a heritage report card, with key issues being raised at the debate. The report card will also be accessible to the public and media in the fall.

By Pamela Vega

On the west side of Yonge Street, south of St. Clair, there is a break between the row of buildings lining the street. Walking down this small alley, the brick walls give way to grass and, a little further on, a walkway lined with trees. Nestled behind a wall of storefronts is this serene escape from city life. This is St. Michael's Cemetery, Toronto's oldest visible Catholic cemetery. The first in a series of articles, St. Michael's is one of Toronto's hidden gems.

A new website allows people in Ontario communities to report heritage buildings and sites they feel are at risk.

This Place Matters documents heritage at risk and buildings that matter using an interactive map, photos and videos. A project spearheaded by Lloyd Alter of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, the website is in beta mode and will include mobile networking capabilities in the near future.

To report a building at risk, click here. 

By David Wencer

A one hundred and fifty year-old tradition began in 1860, when the first Queen's Plate took place on what was then a quiet estate near the Toronto suburb of Carlton (sometimes spelled "Carleton").

In the 1850s, horseracing was still in its infancy in southern Ontario. There were very few thoroughbreds in Upper Canada at this time, meaning that the bulk of the racing stock was of inferior quality. The result was an industry lacking in both high-quality races and in credibility.

A solution was sought by the Toronto Turf Club, which had established itself as the Toronto area's chief horseracing concern in the 1840s. Believing that a race with royal import would give the industry a boost and improve the level of competition, the Toronto Turf Club petitioned Governor General Edmund Walker Head in April of 1859, requesting an annual royal horseracing prize from Queen Victoria. On July 18, the response came from the Duke of Newcastle that Victoria had granted a plate in the value of 50 guineas.

Saturday, June 5 - 1:30 PM

South Rosedale

This prestigious neighbourhood was named after the estate of Sheriff William Botsford Jarvis and his wife Mary Powell, members of Toronto's early 19th century elite. Set amongst wooded ravines, the area developed slowly due to its isolation from the city and to various economic downturns. As a result, it boasts buildings representing a variety of 19th and 20th century architectural styles.

LEADERS: Janet Langdon and Elaine Campbell (in English); Danièle Caloz, La Société d'histoire de Toronto (in French)
START POINT: Park in front of Rosedale Subway Station, E side of Yonge St
FINISH POINT: Ancroft Pl (near Sherbourne and Bloor Streets)
LENGTH: Approx. 2 hours
FOCUS: Architectural, historical
DIFFICULTY: Long walk on sidewalks, some slopes

By Jamie Bradburn

Visitors to Chorley Park in northeast Rosedale may notice a cul-de-sac off Douglas Drive that seems out of place with the surrounding greenery and the serenity of local residents enjoying a rest on a bench. Beside this road is a plaque commemorating the tumultuous history of the building that once occupied much of the grounds. The half-century saga of Chorley Park saw the main building go from a magnificent manor for government dignitaries to a crumbling ruin deemed too expensive to maintain. Along the way the site was embroiled in government scandals, war efforts, schemes to find a lasting function, and the city's unending and ultimately successful effort to buy the property for its current use.

Chorley Park, residence of Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, 1923. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 79

In August, Heritage Toronto, in partnership with the Toronto Historical Association, will be hosting a mayoral candidates' debate on heritage issues.

In anticipation, we want to hear from all those involved in the heritage community to get your views on the state of heritage preservation in Toronto. Do you think the city's current system provides adequate protection of the city's heritage and, if not, how could it be improved?

We have held several meetings across the city with representatives of historical associations, museum boards, resident groups and others involved in the heritage community. We are now inviting all of our readers to send us your views.

A summary of these consultations will be prepared, and used as background information for the debate. We will also circulate the report to the media.

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.

Old King Eddy shows how to mix business and history (Globe & Mail) 

History of the Junction on display in Spring Fling event (Inside Toronto) 

Beach lakefront houses recommended for heritage designation (Inside Toronto) 

Historicist: Head-On Calamity (Torontoist)