Again, there are almost too many events and activities related to history/heritage and our member groups to list at any one time. We encourage everyone to check out the links and websites of member groups and those others associated with Toronto’s history for full details.
JANUARY
January 16, 23, 30
Events for the Community History Project in 2016:
Help us make the Tollkeeper’s Quilt out of “log cabin squares”, or use a square to make yourself a handsome potholder. If you return the square, its free ($5 returnable deposit); potholder kit $10; buy one ready made for $15. The Museum will also be open for tours, between 11 am and 4 pm, on these dates. Opening hours for the Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum, starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. 750 Davenport Road, at the corner of Bathurst Street and Davenport Road.
Website: www.tollkeeperscottage.ca.
January 24
In the heritage department, the City of Toronto offers a full range of activities at all its museums each month and their website offers much to keep young and old busy all year. We do bring your attention to the upcoming: Robbie Burns’ celebration at historic Mackenzie House at 82 Bond Street in downtown Toronto, Sunday, January 24, 2016 from 12 Noon to 4 p.m. As well as copious helpings of Haggis, there will be traditional entertainment provided by members of the THA to honour the Bard of Scotland.
January 28
The Costume Society of Ontario is celebrating its 45th Anniversary in 2016 and will be offering events and activities once a month throughout the year. The first event is on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at Spadina Museum with a movie night and discussion of costume for film. Elizabeth and Essex with Bette Davis is the movie under review a 1939 colour extravaganza from the same year as Gone with The Wind and the Wizard of Oz. Check out the CSO website and Facebook page for details and space availability.
costumesociety.ca https://www.facebook.com/CostumeSocietyofOntario?fref=nf
FEBRUARY
February 6
Heritage York: Annual Dinner Dance at Lambton House, 4066 Old Dundas Street, York. Doors open at 6 pm. Tickets $45; call 416-767-5472 or email admin@lambtonhouse.org Speaker Elaine Waisglass – Restorer of 2 Toronto Heritage Buildings circa 1905.
Website: www.lambtonhouse.org
February 7
February 7 at Toronto’s First Post Office. Make a handmade Valentine! Free admission, 1 to 4 p.m.
More details via Facebook.
February 6, 13, 20
February is knitting month at the Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum; learn to knit; get help with a stalled project. Knitting enthusiasts can make an appointment to attend our knitting workshops on the the following Saturdays: Feb 6, 13, 20 and 27; knitting workshops are $15.
For an appointment, send an email to: tollkeeperscottage@gmail.com
The Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum is located at 750 Davenport Road, at the corner of Bathurst Street and Davenport Road. It will also be open for tours, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on these dates.
Website: tollkeeperscottage.ca
February 13
On Feb 13, artist Theresa Allen will conduct a printing workshop wherein she will demonstrate the making of St. Valentine day cards using her unusual vegetable print designs. All materials provided, $5.
The Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum is located at 750 Davenport Road, at the corner of Bathurst Street and Davenport Road. It will also be open for tours, between 11 am and 4 pm, on these dates.
Website: tollkeeperscottage.ca
February 21
THA Member Group, the Toronto Post Card Club is holding their 35th Anniversary Show and Sale see www.torontopostcardclub.com or go to info@torontopostcardclub.com on Sunday, February 21, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, 6 Garamond Court [Don Mills and Wynford]. Admission is only $5.00 for a great trip through history in 4×6 format! The wonders of the world in your hands! Support this great effort to preserve heritage in ephemera.
February 26
Todmorden was once a small industrial community that provided lumber, flour, beer and bricks for the city of Toronto. By the mid-20th century, only four buildings (two historic houses, a paper mill and former brewery building) remained of this once active community.
The two historic houses, built in the 19th century, were restored to an 1837 and 1967 interior respectively, and opened to the public in 1967 in celebration of Canada’s centennial. Ulana Baluk, Museum Administrator, and Philip Cheong, Museum Coordinator, review the process of restoring the houses and share before and after images of the renovated spaces. St. Matthew’s Clubhouse, 450 Broadview Avenue, at Langley. Admission $5/free to RHS members.
Memberships $15/yr available at door. www.riverdalehistoricalsociety.com
February 28
Heritage York presents speaker Rita Deverell, Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Famer, and Social Activist will talk about Black History Month. Free Admission. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. talk at 2 p.m. Lambton House, 4066 Old Dundas Street, York. Website: www.lambtonhouse.org
MARCH
March 6
Town of York Toronto’s First Post Office. March 6, this year we’ll celebrate the anniversary of Toronto’s incorporation with a Sunday matinee at St. Lawrence Hall. Details available soon, but we are now gratefully accepting donations for our annual Silent Auction! Contact us for details if you are a business owner interested in participating.
March 12
March 12 is our St. Patrick’s Day opening at the Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum; come and experience tea and soda bread, the Irish way.
The Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum is located at 750 Davenport Road, at the corner of Bathurst Street and Davenport Road. It will also be open for tours, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on these dates.
Website: tollkeeperscottage.ca
A SCAVENGER HUNT THROUGH TORONTO’S PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Designed by the Toronto-based graphic designer and web developer Noah Ortmann, the 36-page Toronto Library Passport booklet challenges readers to use library resources to accomplish little tasks, and to record their impressions of each of the spaces.
Ortmann tells CityLab that the Toronto Library Passport began as a birthday gift for his girlfriend. The project gained momentum after he tweeted a photo of the booklet to the TPL, which led to coverage in national newspapers. Now, the first print run is nearly sold out.
“One of my goals was to get Torontonians to become tourists in their own city and to engage (or re-engage) with the library,” he says.
The slim volume also contains branch hours and for tardy returners, a heads up about fines.
$10.00
www.torontolibrarypassport.com
To post your activity or event in our newsletter please forward your activity or event to: editor@torontohistory.net.