Preservation
The 2008 Heritage Toronto Awards Recipients
Recipients were announced Monday, October 27th at the Carlu
Congratulations to all of our recipients of the 2008 Heritage Toronto Awards, which were announced on Monday, October 27th at a ceremony at the historic Carlu.
For details about the Awards, please click here.
WILLIAM GREER ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AND CRAFTSMANSHIP CATEGORY
This category honours projects that have restored or adapted buildings or structures that have been in existence for forty years or more. In addition to the quality of craftsmanship, appropriateness of materials, and the use of sound conservation principles, the jury considers how well the project meets current needs while maintaining the integrity of the original design vision.
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Wesley Building, 299 Queen Street West
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FacebookA nod (and wink) to heritage
The Toronto Star's Christopher Hume laments our City's care of our heritage
A nod (and wink) to heritage
Christopher Hume
It may be time to call in the army.
From the Royal Canadian Military Institute to the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, heritage buildings across the city are fast being destroyed.
The institute's century-old quarters at 462 University Ave. could soon disappear to make way for - what else? - a condo tower.
"There's a lot of history in this building," admits the institute's general manager Michael Jones. "There's a lot of tradition. It is a beautiful building. But it's in bad shape ... difficult and expensive to maintain. The membership held a vote and the plan was passed. The application is with the city now. We don't expect to hear back until the spring of 2009."
In typical Toronto fashion, the developer, Pickering's Tribute Communities, would keep the front façade of the building as a nod to its heritage value.
Thank you very much.
Our Waterfront's Archaeological Heritage
The plans for our archaeological sites by the water
By Rhan-Ju Song, PH.D, University of Toronto Scarborough
As clearly evident in tourist postcards, Toronto's position on the shores of Lake Ontario is key to its identity, vitality and global appeal. The CN Tower, Rogers Centre (Sky Dome), Royal York Hotel, C.N.E., and Ontario Place are just a few examples of the landmarks familiar to local residents, as well as visitors. However, the (pre)history of Toronto's waterfront is far older than most people realize, from indigenous settlements and activity dating back 10,000 years, to a lively industrial period that began 200 years ago.
The Eastern Waterfront late 1800s (City of Toronto Archives, Series 376 Item 44a)
The Need for a University of Toronto Archaeological Master Plan
An open letter to President Naylor
Dear Professor Naylor,
I am writing to you on behalf of Heritage Toronto in strong support of the suggestion from Archaeological Services Incorporated that an archaeological master plan for the land holdings of the University of Toronto be undertaken.
There are several registered archaeological sites located on the grounds of the Toronto campus and potential for other archaeological resources on these and other lands owned and managed by the University.
In order to avoid future disturbance of potential sites and knowing in advance of highly sensitive areas, it is suggested that the University of Toronto would benefit from an Archaeological Master Plan for its total land holdings. The Master Plan would provide a guide and data base of registered archaeological sites as well as areas of high potential for archaeological resources. It may be possible that such a plan could be put together as part of an academic process whereby students would benefit from the study and the University would have a document and policy that would be to its benefit as it grows and develops into the future.
The Tollkeeper's Cottage Opening
Photos from the Canada Day event
Congratulations to Jane Beecroft and the Community History Project on their successful opening of the Tollkeeper's Cottage and naming of Tollkeeper's Park on Canada Day.
Jane Beecroft addresses the crowd
Councillor Joe Mihevc speaks
First Parliament Update
An Open Letter to Greg Sorbara
UPDATE: An Open Letter to Greg Sobara, Chair of the Ontario Tourism Competitiveness Study
Dear Mr. Sorbara:
On behalf of Heritage Toronto let me offer my congratulations on your appointment as Chair of the Ontario Tourism Competitiveness Study. A thriving tourism sector is critical to the ongoing health of the Toronto and Ontario economies, and I look forward to your report.
As Chair of the Board of Heritage Toronto, I am writing to raise with you the tourism potential presented by sites of historical importance in general and in particular by the Toronto site of the first Parliament buildings of Upper Canada.
As I'm sure you are aware, cultural and heritage tourism is a thriving industry around the world. But I think it's fair to say that Toronto (and Ontario), have not taken full advantage of the potential for heritage tourism, compared with many other destinations. The site of Upper Canada's first Parliament buildings at Parliament and Front Streets, which were burned by American forces during the War of 1812, gives us one opportunity to remedy this.
Celebrate Canada Day at the Tollkeeper's Cottage
Cottage open to the public for the very first time
On Tuesday, July 1 at 2pm, The Tollkeeper's Cottage will be opened to the public for very first time.
The historic Tollkeepers Cottage, believed to be the oldest tollgate surviving anywhere in Canada, was rediscovered 15 years ago and lovingly restored by the Community History Project and public support. In the 1800s, private companies were retained to build roads and were permitted to charge road tolls. The three-room cottage was home to the tollkeeper and his family when Davenport Road was a toll road in the 19th century.
The museum will highlight the history of tolls, roads and 19th century life for those with modest means, a contrast to the wealth and luxury of Casa Loma and Spadina House Museum not far from the cottage site. The park surrounding the museum will be renamed The Tollkeeper's Park in recognition of the site's historic significance.
We welcome you to join the celebration, with refreshments and the park dedication by Councillor Joe Mihevc.