On June 18, Heritage Toronto was joined by some of Canada's most notable musicians to commemorate famed Yorkville coffeehouse, the Riverboat.

Located in the narrow basement of a house at 134 Yorkville Ave, the Riverboat was opened in 1964 by Bernie Fiedler and became the best-known coffeehouse in Canada. Over its history, the Riverboat stage was graced by Canada's music elite, including Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Gordon Lightfoot. The Riverboat remained open until 1977, by which time it was the sole remaining coffeehouse in the area.

A number of musicians who graced The Riverboat's stage during its illustrious life attended the event, including Gordon Lightfoot, Dan Hill, Murray McLauchlan, David Wilcox and many others.

The plaque was a joint project between the Greater Yorkville Residents' Association with assistance from "Riverboat" Jane Harbury, music historian and author Nicholas Jennings and Bernie Fiedler, owner of the Riverboat. It will be permanently installed outside the Hazelton Hotel in Yorkville (where the Riverboat once stood) within the new few weeks. 

On February 12th, Montcrest School in Riverdale was a gracious host to Heritage Toronto, the Ontario Black History Society and the Riverdale Historical Society, as we honoured William Peyton Hubbard. Hubbard, among many achievements, was Toronto's first black alderman. 

Students from the school joined us and were treated to a presentation and Q&A on Hubbard's accomplishments, in honour of Ontario Black History Month.

The presented plaque will be installed at 660 Broadview Avenue - Hubbard's former home - which now houses classrooms for the school. 

Photos courtesy of Krishna Sukha

Heritage Toronto Board Member Alexandria Pike

Local Councillor Paula Fletcher

Riverdale Historical Society President Gerald Whyte

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

You are invited to join Peter Ortved, Chair, Heritage Toronto Board, Councillor Joe Mihevc, St. Paul's West, Fredelle Brief, Chair, Community Relations Commitee, Canadian Jewish Congress Charities Committee and Cyril Levitt, Co-Author, The Riot at Christie Pits for the public presentation of a Heritage Toronto plaque to commemorate, on its 75th anniversary, the Riot at Christie Pits.

Sunday, August 17, 2008
11:00 AM

Southeast corner of Christie Pits Park, Christie Street and Bloor Street, across from Christie Subway Station.

Light refreshments to follow ceremony.

Master of Ceremonies: Judy Stoffman, Chair, Christie Pits Plaque Committee.

Heritage Toronto gratefully acknowledges support from the Toronto Star, Rose Corporation, York Heritage Properties, Ltd. , and Ruland Realty for the Riot at Christie Pits plaque project

For a map, please click here.

Photo: City of Toronto Archives, Series 372, Item 1011

On Saturday, June 28th Heritage Toronto, along with the North York Historical Society, presented a plaque commemorating Green Meadows, the former estate of John Angus "Bud" McDougald in North York.

Here are some of the photos from the event:

The main house and a portion of the main drive and front lawn is what remains of the lavish estate

Peggy Mooney, Heritage Toronto, Edith Geduld, North York Community Preservation Panel and Councillor Shelley Carroll admire the plaque

Many thanks to Snap Bloor West, for chronicling our plaque presentation for the Runnymede Branch of the Toronto Public Library on Saturday, June 21st.

More photos can be found here.

At the opening of The Taste of Little Italy, Heritage Toronto celebrated Johnny Lombardi's contributions to Toronto with two commemorative plaques. The plaques are now at home in Piazza Johnny Lombardi, at College and Grace Streets.

Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone, a friend of Johnny's

Heritage Toronto Board Member Mario Fortino

Continuing his legacy: Lenny Lombardi, son of Johnny and CEO of Chin Radio/Television

A large crowd had gathered on the first day of The Taste of Little Italy

The plaque is revealed!