Windows of Leaside

Windows of Leaside: Stained Glass in the Early Homes

A four by four grid color image of several stained glass window patterns including flowers, a shield and a vivid image of a ship at sea.

Windows of Leaside: Stained Glass in the Early Homes, A project nominated for the 2022 Heritage Toronto Awards. Courtesy of the Leaside Heritage Preservation Society.

A stained glass window with yellow and white glass bordering the central image of a painting. The painting is a vivid image of a large wooden sail boat at sea.

Windows of Leaside: Stained Glass in the Early Homes, a project nominated for the 2022 Heritage Toronto Awards. Courtesy of the Leaside Heritage Preservation Society

Colour photo of a stained glass window depicting a single blue flower with light brown stalks.

Windows of Leaside: Stained Glass in the Early Homes, A project nominated for the 2022 Heritage Toronto Awards. Courtesy of the Leaside Heritage Preservation Society.

A rectangular stained glass window with pink and yellow borders around the stained glass image of a flower. The flower is yellow with green leaves and a blue stalk.

Windows of Leaside: Stained Glass in the Early Homes, a project nominated for the 2022 Heritage Toronto Awards. Courtesy of the Leaside Heritage Preservation Society

Project Organization: Leaside Heritage Preservation Society

Project Video: Windows of Leaside: Stained Glass in the Early Homes

Date of Release: May 3, 2021

Windows of Leaside: Stained Glass in the Early Homes is an online virtual exhibit consisting of 16 images of original stained-glass windows belonging to various Leaside homes built during the 1930s -1950s. This was a period of expanding residential construction in south Leaside, reflecting the town’s growing importance and popularity as a place to live and work. The project raises awareness about an often-neglected area of Leaside’s heritage – the use of stained-glass in residential architecture. As more and more early homes in Leaside are renovated or replaced, many of these beautiful windows are in danger of being lost or forgotten. The LHPS Stained Glass project helps address this situation by preserving the memory of these artifacts for Leasiders – including newer and younger members of the community whose familiarity with Leaside’s heritage is still evolving.

The project sheds light on an obscure but worthwhile aspect of Leaside’s history. In highlighting Leaside’s stained-glass windows, the project also indirectly raises awareness about the rich residential architectural heritage of Leaside itself, its importance and the fact that this heritage is worth remembering, respecting and preserving.

Many of these windows are almost miniature works of art: surprising and delighting the viewer with their color, design and delicacy. They build pride among the community and connect the past with the present – making that past come alive

Project Team Members Catherina Maughan (Project Creator) Jennifer Avveduto (Collections) Jennifer Hanley Kennis Kim John Lea Susan Parr Patrick Rocca Adam Uhrynuk (Researcher) Ted De Welles (Project Producer and Researcher) Ann Brown (Chair of the Board of Directors, Leaside Heritage Preservation Society)