Cultural Heritage
"Living Heritage" Poster now on sale!
Winning poster and other items available through Cafepress
The winning poster of the 2008 Heritage Toronto and Toronto Society of Architects Poster Design Competition is now available for purchase. The poster - designed by artist Anna Robertson - is available at www.cafepress.com/heritagetoronto to order. In addition to the poster, other items are available for purchase including a framed poster, mug, magnet, t-shirt and sweatshirt.
Additionally, if you would like to purchase a copy of the poster, we have a limited number available in our office for sale. Each poster is $10 and can be picked up at our offices:
Heritage Toronto
St. Lawrence Hall
3rd Floor
157 King Street East (at Jarvis)
Toronto
M5C 1G9
All net proceeds will benefit Heritage Toronto and the artist.
To see our online store, visit www.cafepress.com/heritagetoronto
Please note: Heritage Toronto does not have the resources to ship the items.
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FacebookExhibition Place: Ghostly Secrets Revealed
Join the CNE & Exhibition Archives for a special ghost walk to benefit the United Way
On Wednesday October 29th at 7:00 p.m., please join Steve Collie for a very special ghost tour of the Exhibition Grounds, with all proceeds benefiting the United Way.
Exhibition Place is known for its bright lights and entertaining shows, but lurking below the surface are a few well-kept secrets that, until this walking tour, were primarily known only to staff who work the late shift. That the grounds should harbour otherworldly visitors is not much of a surprise: the Horticulture Building was once used as a temporary morgue; the current site of the CNE midway was a bloody battlefield during the War of 1812; and the grounds were once home to two military forts. Not to mention the CNE's own long history, going back to 1879 - plenty of time and plenty of reasons for an accumulation of "things that go bump in the night."
Date: Wednesday, October 29th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Leader: Steve Collie
Start Point: General Services Building, 2 Manitoba Drive at Strachan Ave. (north of the Princes' Gate entrance to the Exhibition Grounds)
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
Toronto: An Illustrated History of its First 12,000 Years
You're invited to the book launch on Wednesday, November 12th
Heritage Toronto, Archaeological Services Inc. and James Lorimer & Co. Limited are pleased to host the book launch of Toronto: An Illustrated History of its First 12,000 Years, edited by Ron Williamson.
From the book description: From the final retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet to its emergence as a Canada's leading city, this book explores the evolution of Toronto over the past 12,000 years. Five knowledgeable historians have combined efforts to bring together beautiful illustrations and fascinating, fresh perspectives in this new, natural, archaeological and social history.
Please join us on Wednesday, November 12th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at St Lawrence Hall (157 King Street East, Third Floor). Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and refreshments and meet the authors behind the book.
Hope to see you there!
Celtic Family Visit to O'Connor House (Victoria Park & Ellesmere) at 60 Rowena Drive. North York (Toronto)
Visit the O'Connor House project and ask Questions - Sunday, September 21st 2008 between 2 - 4 pm
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.
This Weekend's Walks
Weston Side Story and Yorkville
Enjoy the last few days of summer - please join us for the following Heritage Toronto Walks this weekend!
Saturday, September 13 - 1:00 PM NEW
Weston Side Story - All Around the Town
Weston still retains a small town atmosphere. Hear about the people who settled here, from the early 1800s on, and created the former town now celebrating the completion of Phase 1 of the Weston Heritage Conservation District.
LEADERS: Weston Historical Society
START POINT: Weston Rd and King St (2 blocks N of Lawrence Ave)
FINISH POINT: Cruickshank Park, SW corner of Weston Rd and Church St
LENGTH: Approx. 1 ½ hours
FOCUS: Historical
DIFFICULTY: Average walk on sidewalks; optional 2nd part includes stairs
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 Riot at Christie Pits
Photos from our plaque presentation
Thank you to many in the local community who helped us to commemorate the Riot at Christie Pits on Sunday, August 17.
Here are some photos from the plaque presentation.
MC Judy Stoffman, Chair of the Christie Pits Plaque Commitee
Heritage Toronto Board Chair Peter Ortved
Councillor Joe Mihevc
Fredelle Brief from the Canadian Jewish Congress
Author Cyril Levitt
New Community Story: Stan Endersby
Famed Toronto native talks about being a rock n' roll star
We've updated "Your Stories" with a fascinating profile of guitarist Stan Endersby here. Enjoy!
This Weekend's Walks
Cabbagetown People and The Royal Alexandra Theatre and Its Neighbourhood
Please join us for our two weekend walks:
Cabbagetown People: Discoveries of Remarkable Lives
Saturday, August 16 - 1:30pm
Since its beginnings in the 1830s as an immigrant reception neighbourhood, Cabbagetown has been home to an amazing group of personalities. Hear the stories of some of those that have been active in the arts and sciences, politics, business, architecture and social movements.
Leaders: Cabbagetown Preservation Association
Start Point: NE corner of Parliament and Winchester Streets
Finish Point: Parliament St and Lancaster Ave
Length: Approx. 1 ½ to 2 hours
Walk Difficulty: park grounds and average walk on sidewalks
The Royal Alexandra Theatre and Its Neighbourhood
Sunday, August 17 - 11:00am
The Royal Alexandra Theatre, anchor of the Theatre District, celebrated its 100th birthday in 2007. Hear the story of the theatre and explore the multi-layered history of the surrounding neighbourhood.