Like most individuals and organizations, the Toronto Historical Association is now shaking off the effects of the unprecedented Covid-19 Pandemic which curtailed so much in the lives of so many.

The THA and its member groups had to give up on public activities, active participation in events and many interactions across the GTA for too long and some, sadly, have yet to recover. We, like many, turned to virtual communications rather than in-person opportunities, but most understood that this was a second best effort.

While we were in the doldrums, we were not dormant, the demands on heritage preservation did not diminish, and the Toronto Historical Association continued to be contacted regarding issues and matters surrounding the natural, built and cultural history of the city.

As an all-volunteer organization, our time and ability to respond to everything was, and continues to be, limited. We rely on the efforts, expertise and energies of our Board and members to keep up the pressure on all the relevant parties regarding the areas of concern that face our groups and the public. There have been many.

Unfortunately, most of these issues, of late, have centered around or been impacted by the Ontario Government’s efforts to create avenues for rapid transit, intensify housing and re-imagine Toronto from different perspectives.

The THA has been responding to information and support requests, asked to lend support for or against certain initiatives, give expert opinions on matters before authorized bodies and, generally speak up about the myriad of changes facing Toronto. This has taken its toll on our resources and our Board.

Currently, we are following an inter-related or connected trail of heritage impacted issues. We were asked to support and speak out against the Dominion Foundry issue, dealing with the Province’s desire to demolish this heritage site for ‘affordable housing ‘ – something that is dubious or limited, at best, and lent our efforts to The Friends of the Foundry and then councillor [ now MPP ] Kristen Wong Tam to mitigate the damage to this area and to find out just what was proposed and how heritage could be preserved. As it stands now, some of the structures are untouched and the location is being used as a parking lot. Hardly heritage appropriate. There will be more on this, no doubt.

The majority of the THA response has been, as many other groups, in trying to protect and preserve as much of the city, literally under mined by the construction of the Ontario Line LRT proposed to run from the Ontario science Centre to Ontario Place. With the most recent announcement by Doug Ford that the Science Centre is to be closed and relocated to Ontario Place, possibly torn down, the logic of having this as a terminus of the proposed transit is being challenged. The rationale for tearing down a heritage designated building notable for its architecture [ Raymond Moriyama ] and its benefits and support to the local community is being questioned and a host of organizations are speaking up in opposition to this move unexpectedly dumped on the city.

Having been a part of the effort to challenge Metrolinx on their need to destroy or damage part of the natural heritage of the Don Valley to build rail line storage and service yards in environmentally sensitive areas, with some success, this new demand is, to say the least, discouraging.

There are many unanswered questions regarding the Science Centre move and, this will be a news item, for some time.

The Ontario Line, as it continues south, had the potential to negatively impact on another heritage feature in Toronto, the site of the First Legislature on Parliament Street. Metrolinx wants the location as a spot for a transit station. How to accommodate this need while preserving the site’s history, is another ongoing fight.

Moving further along the proposed line, the THA has been involved in helping others to mitigate the impact on such areas as Moss Park and city structures and, the much debated proposed transit stop at Osgoode Hall, the damage to heritage and trees and the potential to interfere with other historic structures such as Campbell House. This, in addition to the multi-year disruption to Queen Street and environs while the new line is constructed. Given the delays, cost-overruns and other detrimental matters surrounding the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, not many hold out hope for a smooth effort on this transit initiative.

Not stopping there, we reach the Exhibition Place/Ontario Place terminal and the massive restructuring proposed there for transit and other provincial and city initiatives all impacting, mainly negatively, to heritage infrastructure.

On the Exhibition grounds we have the proposal to add 10,000 additional seats to the BMO Field soccer location to accommodate the hopeful increase in patrons when Toronto hosts part of the World Cup in 2026. This means expanding the seating south and east impinging on areas already known or suspected to have a relation to the War of 1812 battlegrounds, possible Indigenous settlements, and the remains of the Internment Camp from World War I, where so many ‘undesirables’ from Eastern Europe, mainly Ukrainians, were incarcerated and processed before being sent all over remote Canada during 1914 to 1921.

Hotel X has petitioned to go ahead with its Phase Two development which will also impinge on this heritage location. Hotel X has yet to show that it can be a responsible partner in protecting heritage in its lackluster efforts surrounding Stanley Barracks, a national heritage site. This building has been tossed about between the City, the Ex Place Board of Governors and the Hotel with no clear presentation as to how it will be appropriately and respectfully adapted for re-use to the community and to history.

As the terminal for the new transit hub, questions remain as to how people are to move from the end of the tracks to any other location in the area easily, since the walk from the present transit to some parts takes more than 20 minutes as is.

We end up at Ontario Place where multiple groups are protesting the lack of transparency, consultation or effort to look at ways to appropriately use this heritage site. The announcement that the Science Centre will be moved there [ into a smaller, less accessible space ] notwithstanding, much has yet to be determined. How the site will be accommodated when traffic is an ongoing issue now, parking expensive and inadequate [ notwithstanding the proposal to build 2000+ spaces under water ] and the site will be restricted or closed multiple times per year when such events as the Caribbean Festival, the Indy and other large scale programmes are mounted. No mention of how the, already denounced, traffic issues that result from major sports overlap such as when the Blue Jays, Raptors or Maple Leafs are playing on the same nights/times.

There are many voices speaking out and the Toronto Historical Association has joined them or has added our name to the requests for clarification, need to see concrete plans, opportunity to debate and propose conditions and suggest alternatives that satisfy the public and special interests, including those developing under used or neglected sites. The THA is not unaware that, for too long, many small and unique locations, neighbourhoods and structures have been left to fall into disrepair and may be unrecoverable or no longer viable for rehabilitation. This is part of the advocacy that the Toronto Historical Association undertakes to educate public officials and others to the rich and important heritage in our city.

As the city faces a mayoral election, we are trying to find answers from candidates on where they stand on these and other issues surrounding the quality of life in history and heritage for Toronto. With 48 candidates declared, getting answers is slow and tricky. We encourage all our groups and the people concerned with our natural, built and cultural heritage to speak out and to speak to those wanting our votes so that our city’s great and vibrant history can be maintained, enhanced and preserved for future generations.

Paul Federico, President, Toronto Historical Association

It is with great sadness that we announce that Lisette Mallet, Vice President of the Toronto Historical Association, passed away peacefully in her home on January 13th of this year. Lisette will be greatly missed by all of us on the Board of THA as she was a great contributor to the activities of the Association.

Lisette came to THA from our fellow heritage organization, Société d’histoire de Toronto, where she was President.

Here is a link to an excellent memorial in honour of Lisette:  turnerporter.permavita.com/site/LisetteMallet.html.

In the bleak midwinter, no matter what tradition or absence thereof one adheres to, everyone seems to turn to stating ambitions, setting goals, resolving to get more, do more, to profess to improve, to redefine one’s life, to move forward, to make improvements, great or small.

Well, the Toronto Historical Association (THA) is not immune from this introspection of ‘self’ and affirmation of betterment to come. For 2016, the THA is determined to respond to the, ever growing, demand on us for more active involvement in city heritage issues, to move more quickly to support member groups in their efforts to promote our natural, built and cultural heritage, to increase our profile in the media and community and to push to have heritage an equal partner to arts and culture in the minds of the public.

We need to enhance the ways to bring the great treasures in our communities, the structures, artifacts, resources and expertise: our history- to the city and its people in a higher profile, tangible way. We need to engage the public on what Toronto has that should be protected and preserved, acknowledged and extolled.

We are moving to improve our connections to the public in the ways they wish to be engaged. Our Website, Twitter and Social Media initiatives are being reviewed and revamped. Our approaches to the news and information media are being increased.

We are aware of the great diversity of the people and their own avenues of communication through the ethnic press and bringing our shared history to new corners of Toronto’s multicultural community.

This is a big “to do” list, and, we know that we may not do them all or as well as we might, but we need to start and start now on these and other initiatives. For that, we need your help. The THA is you, after all and what we can do is for all, helps you and your own groups’ efforts and interests, just as your support helps us all.

We are always in need of help on committees and planning endeavours and, most important, in need of good people willing to step up to the THA Board to bring your concerns, expertise, energy and interests to bear on the ‘big picture’.

Our AGM is not that far away [don’t worry, we’ll bombard you with reminders] so it is not too early to consider running for office or nominating a worthy member of your organization to the THA Executive.

It is not too early to look at the ideas and initiatives outlined in earlier newsletters to see if one or more could work in your circumstances, or, if you have implemented any of them, to pass on the success or revelations of the process to others. THA groups can reach out to other members to see if joint action or groups efforts can’t boost all profiles in the community.

For our part, the THA executive resolves to continue to monitor and speak to issues affecting city heritage in all its forms; to respond to requests for help from the public, to offer opportunities for education, advancement, funding, appreciation, support or anything else that can be done to promote and praise Toronto’s rich and diverse history.

There are already many opportunities developing in the short or long term. Let us resolve to all work as one in making 2016 a good year for Toronto’s Heritage and the THA.

Paul Federico, President, Toronto Historical Association

Plans are being formulated for the 2015/16 Annual General Meeting. Watch the Website, subsequent newsletters our Twitter account and the special notices that will inform and update you of the date, time and place. At present we are considering two dates in April – Sunday April 17 or Thursday April 21. Pencil these on your calendars, enter them in your smart phones and store them on your laptops, notebooks and home computers, but make sure you are prepared to send a delegate from your group to the AGM. Everyone benefits from the input of ideas, the discussion and the support given to the THA on these occasions.

As part and parcel of any group activity, you are expected to participate and offer input. If something doesn’t go your way and you didn’t say anything…well. As with the recent federal elections, you can all see that votes count and putting the ‘right’ person in place matters.

So it is with the THA As noted above, our AGM is coming up. Here is your opportunity to get actively involved in your organization. Make sure your group has a representative at the meeting to add your support, concerns, energies and efforts to the cause of heritage in Toronto. Further, you can have a place on the Board – currently, therwill be four [4] vacancies on the THA Executive Board for the 2016/17 period. Any group in good standing as a THA member [ i.e. currently paid dues ] can nominate someone to be elected. Think about running yourself, or nominating someone you trust to speak for your group and Toronto’s history. The Board is accepting nomination now for the April AGM.

While we all renew our energies and commitments for the New Year, let us not forget to renew our membership in the T.H.A! Get in early and avoid the AGM rush! Membership applications/Renewal forms are available through the links on our website www.torontohistory.net. Print out a copy, fill it in [completely] and mail it with your cheque or money order to the THA post box [P.O. Box 67, Toronto’s 1st Post Office, 260 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 1N1]

Make sure you have included any changes from last year, or if a new group, your up-to-date information. We need your corporate address/office of record, executive contact and any relevant phone, fax and e-mail addresses. If you have a website, Facebook or Twitter account, let us know – we can make sure the vast internet knows how to find you and hear your story. We will link your sites to the THA website so that the public can find you by simply ‘clicking through’. Quite simply if people can’t find you, they can’t help you.
Most important; make sure you have designated a delegate or contact to the THA – it is to that person all the THA official information and newsletters will be sent for distribution to your group. In this day and age of ‘multiple platforms’ and ‘instant’ communication, hearing from you and giving you the latest in assistance and tools to do your great work is very important. You know it and so do we- let’s make sure we all can help each other and the cause of heritage in Toronto.

It pays to advertise. Of course, most of us have limited funds to mount great campaigns for publicity, but there are myriad avenues for ‘free’ promotion. Are you taking advantage of those? Here’s one: www.todocanada.ca with sub-categories such as: /ecategory/events/, which list events, plays, activities on a regional and monthly basis across many platforms. It is a ‘free’ service [advertising pays, etc… the ‘new’ business model.

Check out the many other possibilities on the Web – just Google “Things To Do In Toronto” and spend the day clicking. Are you tapping into this and making positive use of the opportunities for your group?

The Peggy Kurtin Memorial Award and The THA President’s Award call for nominations
We in the heritage sector tend to be a modest bunch and just knuckle down and do the work without all the hoopla that surrounds so many activities. This is, sometimes, to our detriment. The ‘Arts and Culture’ sector seems to have many great and involved people on their side, we know because they are lauded and acknowledged in a public way. Well, we can do this, too. While not the Golden Globes and Oscars, public thanks to the many who toil for history and heritage in the city and surrounding areas deserve no less attention and acknowledgement.

It is time to think of who, in 2015, did a great job for the THA and heritage. Yes, we are looking for nominations for the “Peggy Kurtin Memorial Award” for the THA group that best exemplified the efforts of volunteers for heritage in Toronto. All the groups within THA worked hard and long, and continue to do so, but we’re looking for that one group who went just that bit further to make heritage look good to everyone last year. Send in your pick to info@torontohistory.net

Wait, there’s more! As well as the Group Award, the THA has taken to honouring an individual among us who has put forward that inspirational bit of effort that deserves recognition all round. Send in your nominations for the THA President’s Award for the individual within the THA who best exemplifies the work and efforts over the year[s].
Both the Group and Individual awards will be presented at the AGM [one more reason to be there!]

But! There’s more! – Not only does the THA recognize its own but the various levels of government honour individuals and organizations who work voluntarily to help preserve our communities in many ways. Don’t neglect the opportunity to nominate fellow groups and individuals for public recognition.

Heritage Toronto awards and recognizes each year at their Gala [nomination forms are available from them through their website], the Ontario Historical Society, of which THA is a member, honours groups and individuals, take time to consider their criteria. The Province has many avenues for awards for community service, from the simple Volunteer Service Pins all the way up to the Order of Ontario and, it might not be that outlandish to suggest one of the workers in heritage might deserve an Order of Canada from the Federal Government. All of these awards, their deadlines for submissions and criteria, etc. are readily available. We encourage all groups to put forth worthy members of the heritage community for recognition.

It has taken some time and effort, but word is getting around that the THA is doing ‘good stuff’ for the city’s heritage. More and more people are checking out our website www.torontohistory.net and sending in requests for help, links to features, questions and offering material and artifacts for placement rather than see them lost to landfill. As well, authors and other experts are offering to come and bring their information and expertise to the cause of city history and, most important, [extra] ordinary people are stepping up and volunteering to help the THA in many ways. We are directing people to our member groups where we can as we can all use ‘new blood’ .

More and more, the links to our member groups through our website need to be quick and up to date. We encourage all of you to make sure your kinks to the THA website are active.

Make sure we have the latest information on who to contact within your group. If you have changed executives, contacts or delegates, we need to know. It is to your benefit.

Our Twitter following grows every day. While not in the stratosphere of Norm Kelly or even Justin Beiber, we are holding our own at 1092 followers as of this writing. To keep them and to grow our presence we need information to post- this is one more outlet for events, activities, meetings and rallies, anything the public may be interested in.

And, if you are using Twitter yourself don’t forget to ‘like’ and ‘follow’ the THA site: @torontohistory

It is not too early to consider plans for activities and events for 2017. That year will see Canada commemorate the end of World War I – the 100th anniversary and the Birthday of Canada – 150 Years Strong. The previous Federal Government announced the significant outlay of funds to honour these milestones and the ‘new’ government has pledged to honour those commitments in a number of ways. Funding for some of these are dependent on community level groups putting together local events that tie in to these. What plans are underway in your neighbourhood? What are you doing to tap into this support? THA will be monitoring what avenues for financial support may be available to heritage groups and can support your effort to access these for publicity and development.

Don’t forget, as well, that Mayor Tory and the City Government announced that they are planning to support these events through special funding in the range of $5 million to $15 million. We are checking to see what, if any, of this money makes it through the budget process.

2016 marks the 150th anniversary of the formation of the Lorne Scots [Peel, Halton, Dufferin] Regiment. They have a number of community and regimental events planned, including a visit from their Colonel-in-Chief, Prince Michael of Kent. As part of their anniversary, the Regimental Association is trying to refurbish their regimental museum. A large amount of remedial work is required to remove lead paint and asbestos from the building. They are appealing to the community, military associations and the larger heritage community for support. They need to raise a minimum of $25,000 for the work. Any assistance the THA groups can give would be appreciated and publicizing the need would be a great help. Detailed information is available through the THA President, Paul Federico – the3rdeastkent@hotmail.com

There are still a number of outstanding issues within heritage in Toronto that continue to worry THA individuals and groups. The Board is tracking those that we can and will report on them in the next newsletter or in special notices as required. Additional updates will be made at the AGM.
We are continuing to develop new means and avenues to present our concerns to relevant bodies and individuals within the community and government and are always in need of support for the many meetings, presentations and other public access opportunities that are made across the GTA by various groups, organizations and agencies.

As was mentioned earlier, people are reaching out to the THA and offering their services and expertise in various areas to help inform the public of many aspects of history across the city. The THA is compiling a list of Speakers willing to come out to groups to present lectures, backgrounds to books they have written and other topics of interest. If your group would like to contact any of these or are interested in checking into their offers further, contact the THA for the latest list of people.

The Grand Scottish Diaspora Tapestry is coming to Canada after a receiving great response in Australia and New Zealand. Travelling the world to wherever Scots emigrated, this reflection in fabric of the history of the Scots is more than worth the look. As always, you need to check out the website and their Facebook page for full details, but clear your calendars to make sure you can visit this magnificent effort when it shows up in Guelph, Kitchener and Scarborough –soon!

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 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 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 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.

PRESIDENT’S REMARKS:

Things are Falling into place. Summer has sped past us and Autumn is upon us like a ton of bricks! [ speaking of that – see below ]. Time for us to start fi ring on all cylinders, get ourselves in gear and head down the road toward 2016, full throttle… While planning for next year, there is still much we can do to bring 2015 to a successful close and still many opportunities to engage the public and interested bystanders with what we have to off er and what history means to this city. Time to share some of those successful ideas and look at what other THA members have done to reach out to new people wanting to see our city’s natural, built and cultural heritage protected and given its rightful due.As always it is a bumpy road full of ups and downs. If we’re lucky we can hit the highway at cruising speed and avoid more than a few potholes along the way.And as always take the time to read through what’s going on, what’s coming up and add your efforts to the list so that everyone can benefit from our collective best efforts. All of our member groups have much to off er the public, each other and the city and we have, as always much to celebrate.

Paul Federico

UPS & DOWN
UPS
400th Anniversary in New France
Congratulations to La Société d’Histoire du Toronto for their spectacular commemoration of Etienne Brulé and his exploration of the Toronto region 400 years ago. The Grande Portage from Orillia to Toronto, recreating the trip and discovery of the area by the French, was a big, big hit and well received. Thanks also to the supporting groups, Swansea Historical Society, who mounted a great street celebration and kept it going during the ‘less than ideal’ weather. It couldn’t dampen the spirits of those involved or participating. Kudos, as well, to Hugh Barnett, and the Etobicoke Historical Society, for continuing the Etienne celebration at the Old Mill, later in the month of September. A great eff ort to bring to the people’s attention that there is more to the city history than the ‘usual’.
50th Anniversary of City Hall
Congratulations to Paul Denter and the Lincoln and Continental Owners’ Club for putting together a great event at Nathan Philips Square on September 13th for the 50th Anniversary of Toronto’s ‘New’ City Hall. With support of Th e Vintage Society and our own Diane Reid from the Costume Society of Ontario, the event offered a great treat for city residents and guests. Despite the attempts by the weather to wet down what it couldn’t blow away, a large crowd enjoyed the exhibits and displays, the fashions and the great automotive history on show. The small THA ‘booth’ attracted a number of curious and some excellent contacts were made that, in time, will lead to more THA undertakings.

About Those Bricks
We still have a precious few authentic, one of a kind, Don Jail [in] famous bricks for those seeking a unique weapon for beating back Zombies at Hallowe’en or making a colourful fall centrepiece or a fabulous and unexpected Christmas/Holiday gift no one else would think of. Send a note to info@torontohistory.net and order yours today!!!

DOWNS
City History
While there was much to celebrate in the city, these last few months, it is fair to say that Toronto’s heritage suffered a number of blows, large and small. A lot of what could have been done by the THA and a number of other groups was curtailed by the city being caught up in the Pan Am and Para Pan Games. We have no desire to diminish the effort and success that this event created but, it is sad when all that can be said after it’s over is that it didn’t mess up the roads too much, that businesses didn’t do too badly, even if the expected crowds didn’t materialize at some places. From our point of view, the ‘trickle down’ effect of new people discovering the local community efforts at heritage and so on, didn’t manifest itself as promised. While we can say that with limited resources and finances, we couldn’t do much, we have to point fingers at the larger public entities that promised access to funding opportunities, and other endeavours that would promote local initiatives to a wider audience. More needs to be done for the local, little guys in future.

With the Pan Am Games taking up time and resources and allocations of funds from ‘regularly scheduled’ events, it became obvious that public funding for other celebrations was limited; notably, the 50th Anniversary of Toronto City Hall. If it hadn’t been for the Lincoln Club and the efforts of THA Board Member Paul Denter, the city provided activities on the Square would have been much diminished and lacking in ‘historical value’. Free chocolate giveaways and a Lego play station don’t speak to our city’s history. The civic booth, handing out leaflets and brochures was not the exciting entre to the city’s heritage, vibrant present and hopeful future one should expect from a major metropolis. While the City Archives mounted a great display in the Rotunda about the building of the ‘new’ city hall, and many other aspects of Toronto’s history, little was done to promote the ‘birthday’ to the public in any major way, and, as a result, there was minimal media attention with little news coverage. Toronto is a busy city and much competes for the attention of the public eye, it is a shame city heritage takes a back seat.

What else can we expect from our public servants and city officials, however, when the best idea they could come up with for repurposing the magnificent ‘Old’ Toronto City Hall, was to suggest it become an annex of the Eaton Centre. While the minions at the city were, no doubt, pushed to suggest ideas that would ‘ maximize monetization’ in the adaptive reuse, the idea of a Timmy’s at one end, Starbucks at the other and a Dollarama in the middle was a pitiful suggestion rightly derided in the media and on public forums. The Toronto Historical Association’s Twitter account lit up with protest and support for our Tweet to ‘Save The Clock Tower’. Rest assured, the THA is following this issue very closely and making its point of view well known.

Old City Hall was a highly significant development for the status of Toronto and its grand statement about the city’s place in North America at the turn of the 20th century. What happened to the concept of making it the home of Toronto’s History Museum?

Urban Parks
Recently, a Toronto Star journalist wrote a piece extolling the many interconnected parks and parkettes in the urban core of Toronto that form a walking trail paralleling Yonge Street among others. A ‘nature walk’ as an alternative to the PATH system underground. Your humble scribe stumbled upon one part of this network when in the city for another purpose. Off Temperance Street, west of Yonge, in the old stronghold of, staunch Methodist, Jesse Ketchum lies a unusual alliance. On the south side of the street, at the corner, a great old piece of Toronto’s early industrial/commercial heritage is undergoing restoration so it can present a fresh face to visitors on Yonge. Behind it, a modern glass and steel structure is shooting up to the stars, but, at least, it is giving a nod to its forbearers in the design and presentation. On the north corner is the Dineen Coffee Shop, housed in a restored building and fronting two other bistros stretching back from the main thoroughfare along Temperance. Immediately behind these trendy eateries is the parkette that forms part of the urban walk network. Named “ Cloud Park” , it is supposed to be a tranquil green space and a reclamation project of management organizations and various trade unions who came together to establish a bit of nature among the concrete and steel.

The design apparently won a number of awards and accolades according to posted plaques and the approval of various civic entities. Sad then that, no doubt through budget cuts, it has been allowed to fend for itself with haphazard ‘natural regeneration’. Trees are overgrown, weeds choke out the grasses and supposed flowers, waterfalls and fountains are turned off, and, given the moss, weed and rust buildup, were devoid of water for a good part of the summer. With the city ignoring this oasis, it was no wonder that the people did as well, adding their detritus to the landscape, littering it with coffee cups, food wrappers, cigarette butts, empty beer and alcohol containers. Pigeons were the only ones, other than me, enjoying the ‘tranquility’. One more instance of our natural heritage getting short shrift by those entrusted with its upkeep. To bring this small plot back to health will take money from the city and time by more than a few volunteers in the alternative. Is this another casualty of Pan Am Games funding taking priority in 2015?

Here is an example of other parts of our city history slipping below the radar:
FORMER DURANT MOTOR COMPANY HEAD OFFICE BUILDING, IN LEASIDE, THREATENED BY PARTIAL DEMOLITION AND REDEVELOPMENT.
Submitted by Geoff Keittel
Abridged
The Durant Motors office building on Laird Drive in Leaside (Toronto), a listed heritage building, is proposed to be partially demolished and redeveloped as a seven story condominium with 109 units, linked to an eight storey rental retirement home with 175 units next door. The two storey brick and stone building, which was originally constructed as the Administration Building for Durant Motor Company in 1928, represents the one remaining vestige of the manufacturer of Durant motor cars in Canada. The factory was established in 1921 in a redundant munitions factory located across the street on a site (now redeveloped as a shopping centre). By 1929 Durant had become Canada’s third largest domestic producer of automobiles.

The developer’s proposal is to retain only the front facade of the building and part of the north and south sides. The additional storeys would be set back but, over-power the heritage building. As well, the distinctiveness of the Durant Motors building in its setting is radically diminished by the blending of the two buildings.

The unacceptable low level of heritage conservation is part of the reason why the local residents and the Leaside Property Owners’ Association are vigorously opposed to the proposed development.

Unlike the building’s new ‘storeys’ the Durant Motors ‘story’ is distinct. Durant Motors of Canada was founded in 1921 as a Canadian subsidiary of the American company, Durant Motors Incorporated. Durant Motors acquired the former Munitions Company on Laird Drive where it expanded the property to include 20 acres of land with eleven buildings. By 1924, the company was the third largest producer of automobiles in Canada, and an impressive office building was completed on the west side of Laird Drive, opposite the plant, in 1928. Two years later, the American parent company faced financial failure and passed control of the venture to its Canadian branch. In 1931, Durant Motor Company was taken over by Dominion Motors Limited, a new enterprise headed by Durant’s Canadian president and based in Leaside. With the impact of the Great Depression, Dominion Motors closed in 1935. The Durant Motors office building was subsequently acquired by Imperial Oil Company for its Ontario sales division. In the late 1960s, the Metropolitan Separate School Board occupied the building for a long term lease, and in recent years it has housed a number of small businesses and politicians including former MP John Godfrey and former councillor Jane Pitfield.

City Planning invites comments on the plans. You can contact Guy Matthew at 416-395-7102 or gmatthe2@toronto.ca with your comments.

And one final point. There is still at least one Durant car in Leaside. All Canada Storage owner Hal Spradling has one sitting in his storage business at 1 Laird Drive.

The Lincoln & Continental Owners Club supports the preservation of this heritage building. So much of our automotive heritage, in Toronto, has already been lost or gutted.

Villiers Island
The THA continues to be involved in offering advice and counsel to the City and Waterfront Toronto and other interested parties in the long term development of Villiers’ Island, the project that will, over many years, reclaim the Don River mouth/delta and establish a new community in the area of the lower and east Donlands. The THA is monitoring and offering suggestions for the protection and appropriate reuse of the natural and built heritage that exists in this location. A number of 19th century buildings, an old fire hall and a major industrial facility, all of which are listed, designated and protected under various city and provincial legislation, are of particular concern to the Association and we are continuing to offer input on creative and benign uses that will speak to the history of the structures and the old community.Toronto Parks:

Massey Hall
The THA has offered input and been asked for consideration on the expansion and development plans for the rejuvenation of Massey Hall. Of particular concern to the THA is the proposed reuse of the two former banking buildings on Yonge Street [195, 205 . Many long time THA members will recall that 205 was the former home to Heritage Toronto and the meeting place of the ad hoc Toronto heritage group known as MAHG. It was in this very building that the THA was formed and began its formal life in 1998. Thankfully, the designs and proposals for the Massey project are, at present, respectful of the architecture and history of the buildings and present a positive adaptation incorporating them into the new construction. We’ll see how these concepts formalize when the plans are submitted to the city for approval.

Stanley Barracks
This is an ongoing issue, with the THA continuing to discuss the future of the building with the City, the corporation in charge of the hotel on site, Classical Library Hotels. While the project is behind schedule, it is nearing completion and will see an official opening sometime in the spring of 2016. The preservation work to protect and present the remains of the ‘new fort’ barracks which lay, in part, underneath the hotel are spectacular and welcome and we hope that the same, if not more, respect will be shown to the Stanley Barracks in moving forward. The Hotel chain is required to submit a formal proposal for heritage reuse of the building to the City as part of its land lease and development deal. We’ll see what comes before the parties with a vested interest in this endeavour.

HELP NEEDED

Locally
One of our newest member groups, The Mimico Station Community Organization, is in need of volunteers to help in the restoration of the Mimico railway station and make it, once more, an active part of the community. While they need help in many ways, they are looking to boost their expertise by recruiting new members to the Board of Directors. If anyone has the time and talents, wants to roll up their sleeves, has an interest in the railway and trains and the local community, here’s your chance to get up and out and away from binge viewing on Netflix. Contact Peter McHale: mchalep@sympatico.ca or look for more information at: www.mimicostation.ca

Internationally
The Historical Society of Leusden [ the Netherlands: www.historie@leusden.nl ] is in need of our help. They are investigating the crash of a RAF bomber in the town in 1943 and found that five of the eight crewmen were Canadians. They are researching the descendants as part of their efforts to establish a monument/memorial to the lost airmen. While they have the support of the DND and other Veteran groups, they are looking for help in researching or locating a ‘local boy’, William Obediah Powell [ born Dec 14, 1920 ]. They have a hopeful link to William in an obituary that appeared in the Toronto Star in late April/early May 2008. A Phyllis Powell died, age 87, at the Ina Grafton Gage Nursing Home, she appears to be William’s sister. Anyone who can move this investigation further is asked to contact Albert Schothorst: a.a.schothorst@planet.nl

Recognition for Volunteers
The Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade, Province of Ontario

Once more, the Province is offering volunteer groups the chance to recognize their own. Calls for nominations to the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism in Ontario have now been made.

Individuals and groups have until December 5, 2015 to submit their entries. Go to: www.ontario.ca/honoursandawards and then click on the June Callwood icon, download the PDF file and submit your choice.

While on the site, check out the many other opportunities to recognize the, often unsung, eff orts of your members and others involved in heritage in all its aspects. Raising the profile of heritage does us all good.

More Toronto History
Sometimes we stumble on new bits of Toronto’s history, sometimes it lands in our laps. From out of the blue [well the web] we were contacted and presented with a link to a wonderful site that should be a stopping place for every city history enthusiast . Th e work of Liam Peppiatt, this site is following the work of Robertson’s Landmarks of Toronto Revisited. You must check out: www.landmarksoftoronto.com and make sure you send a high five or more to Liam at liam.peppiattt@alum.utoronto.ca for the great work this site has to off er.

You’re invited to a Book Launch
“Canadian Women in the Air: 100 Years of Flight”, by Elizabeth Gillan (Liz) Muir with some of the women who starred in the book.

Wednesday, November 18, 6:30 – 8:30 pm at DORA KEOGH, 141 Danforth Ave, east of Broadview subway station, Toronto.

The story of how Canadian women broke through the sky blue ceiling, first as passengers on planes, then as pilots and stewardesses, and finally as astronauts. Published by Dundurn Press

October 26:
The Toronto Scottish Regiment will be receiving a new Battle Honour in recognition of the Reserve Unit’s contribution to the Afghan Conflict, on October 26, 2015 in the presence of HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. Select THA members will be attending and will duly report on the event in a subsequent newsletter.

October 27:
The Riverdale Historical Society is presenting guest Jennifer Bonnell on “Reclaiming the Don”. Dr. Jennifer Bonnell teaches Canadian and environmental history at York University. Her book on the Don has been awarded both the Clio prize from the Canadian Historical Association and the Fred Landon prize from the Ontario Historical Society. The Lower Don River was considered a dangerous and problematic place by nineteenth-century Torontonians, and various schemes were devised by civic politicians and engineers to deal with what was commonly understood as “the Don problem” including flooding and pollution. The talk will start at 6 p.m. at the St. Matthew’s Clubhouse, 450 Broadview Avenue at Langley.
Admission $5/free to RHS members.
Website: www.riverdalehistoricalsociety.com

October 31:
YIMBY will be taking place again this year on Saturday, October 31, 2015 –this year at Ryerson University [55 Dundas Street]. The Toronto Historical Association will have a table and welcomes brochures, pamphlets, notices and other promotional printed material from THA member groups which can be handed out to the attendees. Contact Paul Federico at the3rdeastkent@hotmail.com to arrange picking up/transferring the handouts.

November 1:
La Societe d’histoire du Toronto is hosting a heritage event in the city. Sunday, November 1, 2015 at Historic Campbell House,160 Queen Street at University Avenue. Limited to 40 people and at a modest cost of $20 per SHT members and $ 25 for others, one can indulge in the exquisite taste of chocolate from Nouvelle France prepared by Chantal Véchambre, culinary historian and author of “French Taste of Atlantic Canada, 1604-1758, A Gastronomic History”. More details at info@sht.ca.

November 7:
The Community History Project is hosting an evening of fiddle musical on Saturday November 7, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at in the Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum at the corner of Bathurst and Davenport. Seating is limited. More details at: www.tollkeeperscottage.ca

December 5:
The Community History Project is hosting an evening of fiddle musical on Saturday December 5, between4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at in the Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum at the corner of Bathurst and Davenport. Seating is limited. More details at: www.tollkeeperscottage.ca

December 12:
The Community History Project is hosting our Annual Cookie Day in December event on Saturday December 12, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at in the Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum at the corner of Bathurst and Davenport. Tours of the Museum are given during this event. Admittance to the tour is by donation.CHP holds this event every year on a Saturday in December prior to closing the Museum for the holiday season. The Museum will reopen on January 9. More details at: www.tollkeeperscottage.ca
Afterwards, we will have our Annual End-of Year Party for members and volunteers, starting at 4 p.m.; this
is a Pot Luck Event.

Please forward your activity or event to: editor@torontohistory.net.

We are reaching that plateau in our fame that people are reaching out to us with opportunities and other activities to move history

along, to offer our members and the public chances to listen to history and be a part of the discussion. Three authors have come forward with the chance to have them attend THA groups or offer their services for a literary gathering. They would be happy to present their works and discuss their research in exchange for the usual chance to flog their books to all and sundry!

Caitlin Press is offering the THA, author Bonnie Reilly Schmidt who has written; Silenced: The Untold Story of the Fight of Equality in the RCMP. The contact is Andrea Routley: 604 885 9194 or andrea@caitlin-press.com

The second book is The Burying Ground, set in 1851 Toronto, and is the fourth book in the Thaddeus Lewis Mystery Series. The others in the series are “On The Head of a Pin, Sowing Poison” and “47 Sorrows”, published by Dundurn Press. Author Janet Kellough is open to speaking and presenting to THA member groups. She can be contacted at janetkellough@gmail.com

Our third author is Sandra Joyce, who has written Trees and Rocks, Rocks and Trees, part of a series on the British Home Children, the 120,000 or so young people shipped to Canada from 1879 to 1939. She can be contacted at www.sandrajoyce.com or www.britishhomechildgroupinternational.com

Google’s Street View Mapping system has moved to explore beyond the roads and laneways. It was announced that interior views of a number of places were being developed. The CN Tower revolving restaurant, the Hockey Hall of Fame, The Orillia Opera House and the entire campus of the University of Waterloo have been covered. Isn’t it time that some of our THA sites be covered? Toronto’s 1st Post Office, the Toll Keeper’s Cottage, Scadding Cabin – all could benefit from the Street View treatment and, I’m sure, many more structures and locations could be covered. Let’s see what we can do to bring our THA member efforts to more prominence in this.

To post your activity or event in our newsletter please forward your activity or event to: editor@torontohistory.net.

PRESIDENT’S REMARKS:

Well, June has busted out all over and Canada Day is fast upon us. Not only is it a day of celebration of our great nation, it represents the mid-point in 2015! I know many of you will be kicking back by the backyard pool or the beach and hoisting a cool one in commemoration of the many things completed so far, but, if you’re like me, some of you will be panicking and squirming: “Half the year is gone! We still have so much to do!” For a good number of us, this is the start of the busy season. People are out and about, taking time off and curious to see what the city has to offer tourists, visitors and the local population wandering out of their neighbourhoods into the big, bad GTA.

This is the time when walking tours, displays and exhibits, lectures and performances are offered to attract people and alert them to the heritage at their doorstep. As small volunteer groups we are constantly trying to find our niche among the grand sports and entertainment events, the major festivals and presentations, and the big budget publicity efforts of the well funded cultural venues. This year, we have the added competition of the Pan Am Games. So much negative and snide commentary has been tossed out about the games and their impact on the city, but the bottom line is that these games will attract people to Toronto, and, some of these visitors will be curious and interested in local amenities and offerings. Hopefully, THA member groups have prepared activities that can capture a portion of these new to our city and our neighbourhoods and can benefit from the influx. Every person who learns of our efforts in preserving the city’s natural, built and cultural heritage is one more supporter in our endeavour to bring the legacy of Toronto to the forefront. So don’t panic, don’t rest on your laurels, just get out there and show them what we’ve got. It will be worth it!

Paul Federico

SHAMELESS PLUGS:

While we don’t usually promote work by outsiders here, these links are worth a moment of web clicking to
explore.

Artisan John Lopreiato has created a couple of unique items related to Toronto’s heritage. Many of you will recall the rediscovery of the Queen’s Wharf, long buried under city infill. John has recovered material from this find and turned the wood into some things of beauty. Miniature boats mounted on pieces of the wharf [ $ 250 ] and turned and polished presentation pens [ $ 25 ]. These are exquisite items that would make excellent presentation pieces or collectables. Limited quantities of course, so act fast. You can see examples of the work and get further details by contacting John directly at:  John29.apj@gmail.com

Author and historian, Dave Town, has a new book out and is open to coming out to groups and speaking on the book and Toronto history. We’ve agreed to add him to our speakers’ list. Any group interested in having Dave be a part of one of their meetings can reach him for details at:  lesdave.town@rogers.com

We direct your attention to more history content on Toronto from local Blogger, Ashley Macnie. She is writing
about city history and is looking for material and background, that she can develop into articles. Ashley has offered to assist the THA, and we’ll be taking her up on the offer, but, any group with stories to tell might be interested in providing her with source material to work with.

See her work at:  meanderingmac.com/category/toronto-the-great/
meanderingmac.com/category/discover-ontario/

TANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

Well, a new memorial to Toronto’s past and people has been unveiled; this one at Sugar Beach. Thanks to the
Canada Company, surplus and decommissioned LAVIII assault vehicles are being made available to communities to be used as memorials or part of monuments to Canada’s Afghan Veterans and Efforts. Applications for obtaining one of these military vehicles can be made through the auspices of the company and dedications set up. Something for your locality? Check out the details online.

ISSUES:

The THA has been active on a number of fronts and continues to have representatives attend meetings,
presentations, conferences and unveilings of projects across the GTA, Zoning matters, heritage structures and other issues pertaining to development encroaching on our history. The city is certainly working hard to create a vibrant face in the 21st century. Sometimes, though, it can be frustrating when projects proposed in one instance are negatively impacted by decisions taken in others. The biggest whammy, of course, has been the city decision to ‘hybridize” the Gardiner east section. Three development and preservation projects which had assumed the absence of the Gardiner in that area in their planning, now have to revisit their concepts to adapt to this decision. It seems that we are taking two steps back for every step forward, but, what else is new?

SOCIAL MEDIA:

The THA has a Twitter account and, while this scribe still doesn’t fully understand the concept, it seems to be
working in our favour. We now have an average of 900 ‘followers’ and growing. While we are a little behind Taylor.

Swift and her 5.2 million followers, we are catching up. The downside is we need constant input to feed the demand and so events, activities, spontaneous outpourings in support of heritage are required to keep the flow of information going out to the masses. We welcome input and content..don’t be shy in feeding the beast. This is yet another avenue for telling our story to the public and, more importantly, to the younger generations. Follow us @torontohistory

Speaking of stories: our website, too, has a growing readership and, similarly, needs content to keep it fresh. We are still looking for stories and articles about local history. Any scribes out there who would like to take a shot at producing a short piece on a person, place or thing of interest to their groups, neighbourhood or the city in general are invited to submit work for ‘ publication’.. 500 to 2000 words, with properly credited pictures should be sent to:  editor@torontohistory.net

As a consequence of our electronic presence we have been offered help from outside writers / bloggers and others to boost our presence and so we invite you to keep an eye on new developments with the THA online.

HELP IS ON THE WAY:

As part of our website we have a ‘contact us’ portal. And boy does it get busy! Averaging two to three enquiries a day, we receive requests for information, support, research or other activities. We have been contacted to provide experts for film and television projects, to help locate or identify locations, objects or artifacts, provide speakers for conferences and events and all manner of questions on how to save buildings, trees, city features. While we can’t help in all circumstances, the fact that people are reaching out to the THA is gratifying and welcome. It builds our credibility and profile. Whenever possible, we refer people to the local THA member group for assistance and, we hope, that your group will come forward and respond to help heritage in the city in, yet another small, but effective, way.

As well ,we are receiving enquiries from individuals who wish to volunteer with a heritage group. Some of these people have skills and expertise that could benefit a group quite significantly. Again, we try and direct them to the closest group, or one which matches their interests. Let us know if you are contacted and the outcome / benefits. We all need help and encouragement.

PROMOTION AND PRESENCE:

Someone asked whether the THA had a Wikipedia page. This is something we hadn’t thought of. How many of
the THA member groups have a wiki page telling the history of their organization? Yet another way of reaching the people. THA has been offered expertise in setting up such web links. Contact us for the information.
We have been approached by a company seeking to develop educational material for teachers at the local level. This would entail, initially, converting or revising existing handouts, brochures, pamphlets into a consistent format. Given the many constraints on education funding these days, anything that teachers can use to bring their classes out into the local community is a good educational opportunity. THA groups which have walking tours, museums, exhibits or other ‘outreach’ material, may benefit from this initiative. Contact the THA board for an outline of the concept and links to the developers.

53% of the City of Toronto residents do not have English or French as their first language. They receive their news and information through the various print and electronic ‘Ethnic Press’. These organizations are constantly producing material about the ‘homeland’ of many of these Torontonians, but also want to have material about the city they now live in. This is a bridge and an opportunity to reach a new audience with our history. These people, often, castigated for living in an enclave or isolation, do want to know about the history of Toronto. We need to look at working with the ‘foreign language’ press to develop stories and information about our work. This is a project in its early stage and long overdue. Your input and help would be appreciated. Contact THA President, Paul Federico, for more information:  info@torontohistory.net

ST. JOHN’S YORK MILLS ANGLICAN CHURCH, 1816-2016:

The bicentennial is just one year away for St. John’s York Mills Anglican Church, the oldest church in North York and the second oldest in Toronto. The oldest is St. James Cathedral, which is a parish church as well as a cathedral. St. James, at King and Church Streets in downtown Toronto, was started in 1807. St. John’s, located on Don Ridge Drive in the York Mills-Old Yonge Street district, was started in 1816.

Before the church was erected, the area was served with missionaries from St. James. St. John’s began as a 10 by 20 metre frame structure, built by the community from trees felled on the three-acre property, which was donated by Joseph Shepard and his wife. A wood stove heated the building. For the first few years this church and the Friend’s Meeting House in Newmarket were the only places of worship on Yonge Street, a distance of forty miles, as the street extended from the town of York (Toronto) to Lake Simcoe.

Deterioration over the years led in 1843 to the replacement of the wooden church, with a brick one that has grown over the years to the building as it is today. The plans for the new church were done by architect John G. Howard, who later donated High Park to the City of Toronto. The original dimensions were 12 by 18 meters, with a tower and organ loft. The style was Gothic. The contract price was £632.00.

St. John’s not only has the distinction of being the first church in North York; it also is well known for its barrel organ, one of only a few of its kind in Canada. Rather than being played by an organist, as a conventional pipe organ is, a barrel organ is operated by a person turning a crank. Pieces of music are encoded onto wooden barrels (cylinders). St. John’s organ has three barrels, each of which contains ten tunes. The organ, installed in 1847, was sent over from England at a cost of £80 10s 6d.

According to the church’s historian, Bill Dennis, the barrel organ was the church’s main instrument until1860s, when a small cottage or finger organ was installed. A pipe organ was installed in 1928.

For 69 years ending in 1930, the barrel organ was operated by St. John’s sexton, John Page Squire. He also rang the church bells, tended the graveyard, kept the church in repair and dug graves, until he was in his late eighties. In the days before electricity, he had to take care of two dozen coal oil lamps. He was the oldest sexton in Canada. He died in January 1931, just six weeks after retiring. For the next three months the organ, which he loved, was kept silent in his honor.

The first person buried in the graveyard was a seven year old child, a grandson of Cornelius van Nostrand, who came from Long Island as a United Empire Loyalist in 1797. The family plot has about ninety graves. The acacia trees around York Mills are said to have been grown from cuttings, brought from the van Nostrand home on Long Island. At the time the boy was buried, slaves were still being advertised for sale in York County, of which Toronto was the home seat, and Toronto was still mostly forest.

© Susan Goldenberg, Director, North York Historical Society

NEW ON OUR WEBSITE:

Thanks Susan for sharing this story with us. St. John’s York Mills Anglican Church, the oldest church in North
York is also available on our website at:  torontohistory.net/st-johns-york-mills-portrait.html

EVENTS July – August 2015:

Always too numerous to mention, but here is a short list of upcoming activities.

April 1 to October 31:
Opening hours for the Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum, starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Website:www.tollkeeperscottage.ca.

July 14:
The Town of York Historical Society presents PAPER TRAIL DIARY AT THE P.O.
Tuesday, July 14, 7-9pm
“The Paper Trail Diary is a blog about paper-loving hobbies.”
And that is just the beginning of this popular blog! Author Jessica covers books, zines, all things postal,
stationery, and paper crafts. In July, she’ll be throwing a party at the P.O. to celebrate letter-writing! As
always, stay tuned to our Facebook page or our website for details. And don’t forget to check out Paper Trail
Diary itself! Website: www.townofyork.com

August: 22-23 2015:
Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation : Annual PowWow.. worth the drive to Hagersville. See their
website for full details:  www.newcreditpowwow.com/schedule.html

Saturday, September 12:
BUS TRIP TO BUFFALO
Yes, the rumours are true! The Town of York Historical Society is shuffling off to Buffalo to tour such
historical and architectural marvels as the Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin-Martin House, and more!
We’ll be sending out another email once details are nailed down, but we are taking RSVPs now. Give us a
call, and you’ll be offered the first tickets when they become available: townofyork.com or 416-865-1833

Sunday Sept. 13
THA Member Group, the Lincoln and Continental Owners Club is taking the lead, with support from the THA and others, in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Toronto’s “New” City Hall. September 13 from Noon to 5 pm on Nathan Philip’s Square. Details to follow and support is welcome.
La Societe d’histoire de Toronto is finalizing their plans for the Great Portage. Monsieur Brule and his
Warriors will be leaving Orillia on September 11 and following the trail from 400 years ago to end up at
Etienne Brule Park on September 13.Again, full details to follow as the event draws closer.

Community History Project is having its Annual General Meeting.
On Sunday Sept 13, at 1:30 pm, at the Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum, 750 Davenport Rd.
Guest speaker will be Wendy Smith.Website: www.tollkeeperscottage.ca

Sunday, September 27, 1-4pm:
CULTURE DAYS + POST-A-LETTER
Drop into the Post Office’s Reading Room for “Post-a-Letter at the P.O.” As part of the Post-A-Letter Social
Activity Club, we’ll gather to spend quality time writing letters and creating mail for someone special. Edda
Manley, our favourite hand-writing analyst, will be with us to talk about the Campaign for Cursive and tell
you what your handwriting is *really* saying. So break out your back-to-school supplies and let’s make mail
together!
P.S. This month’s Post-a-Letter is presented slightly off our regular schedule, as part of Culture Days | Fête de la culture.

FIRST STORY TORONTO:

FIRST STORY TORONTO is an interactive multimedia map of Toronto’s Aboriginal history, empowering the Indigenous community of Toronto to reveal and explore our geography and culture for the benefit of all residents and visitors to the city. Users will have access, via a smartphone, to stories, photographs, archival documents, audio and video clips that illuminate Aboriginal presence and history in this area.

We plan to create a more extensive website that will include educational and exploratory resources. We also offer charter bus tours for groups and will begin offering walking and cycling tours in 2015. To download the free app:

1) for your Android smartphone or tablet, search the Google play store for ‘First Story Comap’.
2) for your iPhone or iPad, search the iTunes app store for ‘First Story’.

If you have a story, photograph or anything you would like to share on the app about the Indigenous
history of Toronto or for more information,

please contact us at:  firststory@ncct.on.ca or 416-964-9087, Ext. 260.

FIRST STORY TORONTO is being developed by:
• The Toronto Native Community History Project based at the Toronto Native Canadian Centre,
www.ncct.on.ca
• The Centre for Community Mapping based in Waterloo:  www.comap.ca
To post your activity or event in our newsletter please forward your activity or event to:
editor@torontohistory.net

PRESIDENT’S REMARKS:

Time MARCHES on! Yes, we have passed the Ides of March [ Caesar Beware! – “I told him, Julie, don’t go…” ] and the first quarter of the year is about to become history. How much is our contribution to that history in Toronto?

With Spring and Summer comes the influx of tourists to add their numbers to the many local neighbours and fellow Torontonians who, refreshed from their hibernation, are all venturing out to, once more, enjoy the wonders of our thriving metropolis.  Many more so this year, we are being warned, due to the impact of the PanAm and ParaPan Games, which will take up so much of our summer activity in the city.

What are we offering these people to enhance their appreciation of the city’s history? What preservation issues are we alerting them to?  What knowledge of local heritage are we imparting to the curious? And, more important, how are we getting these messages out to the communities?

These are the constant questions that dog us as we go about the good work of protecting our parks and rivers, ravines and woodlands, our streetscapes and historical houses, our unique architecture, community museums and historic sites, our neighbourhoods. It is time to promote those walking tours, to participate in community events, to set up tables in people-centred locations, to hand out brochures and to just plain talk to the public in the streets. There are hundreds of small ways we can reach out.

Of course, all of these efforts are based on the enthusiasm and availability of our volunteers. Let us not forget to let them know how much their efforts are appreciated and admired.

We have a diverse community in the city, but most are curious and interested in its heritage and the part played by their ancestors and others in its creation and development. We can tap that civic pride and promote improvement in preservation and understanding that nothing need be lost in the race to develop Toronto as a ‘world class city’. We do ourselves and others a disservice to not think so.

Let us work together to show people the value of Toronto’s heritage and welcome a new legion of dedicated volunteers to the T.H.A. family of heritage organizations this 2015 season.

Paul Federico

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RENEW YOUR COMMITMENT

Time to step up and recommit to the good work of preserving and promoting Toronto’s heritage to one and all.

The Annual General Meeting of the Toronto Historical Association is on Thursday, April 30th at the St. Matthew Lawn Bowling Club [ Broadview just north of Gerard ] commencing at 7 p.m. [See the notice on the website for details and the announcement sent out under separate cover]. Along with the usual offi cial business of any organisation, attendees will be able to enjoy some insights into the present state of Toronto’s heritage by Guest Speaker, Mr. Francisco Alvarez, Executive Director of Heritage Toronto.

Member groups and associates are advised that they can renew membership in the T.H.A. at the meeting and bring the association up to date on any changes to contact information, delegate changes or other matters of relevance to the groups. Renewal applications can be downloaded from the T.H.A. website or picked up at the meeting.

Most important, members can assist the T.H.A. in moving forward by volunteering or nominating to the Board of Directors. Elections will be held to renew positions or fill vacancies on the Executive. It is to your benefit to have an active role in the T.H.A. and its initiatives and efforts moving forward. Be part of the process and help your group and others for Toronto’s heritage. Nominations may be submitted to  info@torontohistory.net

WHO PAYS?

For some reason people like donating to a good cause and we in the heritage community have those in abundance. If wacky ideas can be supported online, movie stars fund their latest vanity show through their fans, then there should be a case for heritage organizations to tap into this wellspring of good feelings and deep pockets in the world wide community and obtain money through crowdfunding opportunities. It has become so important a source of money for many a project that there is now a professional organization to assist those seeking help. The National Crowdfunding Association of Canada and other groups are a source of instruction and guidance.

On the local front; Projexity, launched in 2013. How it works – an individual or community group can suggest a candidate site for public landscaping or a project for urban improvement. The public is invited to submit design ideas. Stakeholders get involved and with the help of community groups, city councillors and a ‘project leader’ funding and volunteers gained. Worth a look.

As with any request for money, a proper and well documented and presented proposal will go a long way toward shaking the money tree. A sound business proposal in any realm elicits a positive response. Look to your assets, both physical and in personnel, and with a proper initiative a development plan may just get funding to go ahead.

TELLING OUR STORY:

We all have stories to tell. We have a beautiful natural area that should be protected and enjoyed, a ruined lot to be remade, a building or street that needs protecting or preserving or just being recognized. We have our neighbourhood and its unique streetscape reflecting earlier times. Significant features, a host of things that reflect our heritage in the city. Groups of concerned citizens, large and small, organized or grass root, ad hoc committees abound. All have the same problem. How to cut through the information clutter around us to reach out to the people to let them know that there are things of value in our city that should be acknowledged and appreciated, is the great challenge.

With the impact of the information age, many new channels have opened up to compete and compliment traditional means. Are we capitalizing on all the methods and opportunities?

Talking

Talking – yes, that simple and basic technique of going out to speak. Knocking on doors along a street and engaging neighbours in conversation still has a strong effect on local history. Reaching out to community and social groups about the issues and features important to us is another means to an end. Nothing beats one-on-one communication. Finding local community gatherings and talking to the people can open many doors to efforts. Support these efforts with brochures. Today they can be cheaply and quickly produced, even in the home. There is value in handouts and ‘leave behinds’.

Public Areas and Businesses

Public Areas and Businesses – have table will travel. Contacting local public libraries or other community spaces to see if a display or exhibit can be set up, either a manned table or stand alone feature can help put a message in the hands of the local area. Often local commercial realtors or developers would welcome something that could temporarily fill a window or floor of a vacant property to enhance its value and draw attention to its features. Ask.

Heritage Showcase

The Toronto Historical Association is attempting to revitalize the Heritage Showcase format that worked so well in major malls. To ‘sell’ the idea, though, it needs the co-operation and enthusiastic support of the groups themselves who would be the ones to set up the exhibits and displays. Letting the T.H.A. Executive know that you are willing to participate is the first step in reviving this programme that saw, at its heyday , a quarter of a million people visit our booths! Th ere is nothing to stop local groups from approaching major retailers or local malls to see if a single group or small block of groups couldn’t put up a weekend effort.

Street Festivals

There are a number of ‘street festivals’ and large scale community eff orts. How many of the T.H.A. groups have participated or thought to get involved? Often these are ethnically oriented or sponsored. Here is a new, possibly untapped mass of people open to hearing your story. Get engaged and open doors to new volunteers.

The Ethnic Press

The Ethnic Press – there are many non-English newspapers, magazines and community reports produced daily, weekly, monthly. Has there been a effort to produce articles or information material on your projects to this audience?

Heritage Websites

How many of us have websites? This seems like a necessity these days, but, like anything else, content is the driver and the need to update and add new material is always present. How effective are we making this venue? Stories about the particular buildings, activity, community we are promoting and wanting to preserve need to be ‘refreshed’, if the numbers of people visiting the site, and, we hope, becoming involved, don’t diminish. Is there a story teller among your midst that could be encouraged to write for the website or start a blog? Are you using Facebook and Twitter or other Social Media to get out quick and vital information? Don’t overlook the children at home or at school who can help manipulate this new information protocol with ease.

YouTube

For the more ambitious, there is the availability of YouTube! Yes, a community video – a commercial about your historical site, neighbourhood issue or other information can be ‘out there’ in moments! With many of today’s smartphones, the ability to produce a film is at the touch of a button . Loaded to your website, streamed or released to the ‘ether’ may result in your community heritage going ‘viral’ – nothing is too far-fetched in these days of the ubiquitous cat videos. What are you waiting for?

Politicians

Engage your local councillor. These people are your source of information on what the city has planned for your neighbourhoods and local streets. They need to be talked to, informed and educated. Going to them only in times of crisis doesn’t help the cause and, they have access to sources of funding. Despite the doom and gloom of austerity budgets, there are moneys available from specific funding venues to help enhance localities. Look for them.

A number of opportunities to promote or extend the heritage community outreach were proposed in the past. It is always hard to track all the initiatives, but, a number of them were outlined in previous newsletters. How many of the T.H.A. groups took advantage of these to build up their profile in the community and the city?

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT:

First Story is a mobile App exploring the Aboriginal history of Toronto. It is an interactive multimedia map of the native history with access to stories, photographs archival documents and audio and video.Download the App to your smartphone or tablet or search the Google play store for “ First Story Comap”Check out the Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/FirstStoryTorontoFor Military history there is “The Fallen”, a free computer application from Good Digital Culture that pinpoints the burial locations of 118,000 Canadians who fell in military service from the Boer War to Afghanistan. It has been around for a while but worth the look for its vast content.

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ISSUES:

Ex Place:

The T.H.A. continues to track and comment on the various developments at Exhibition Place. Construction is underway on the National Basketball practice facility on the west end overlooking the Gardiner Expressway, the BMO Soccer Field expansion with the addition of 10,000 seats and new features and, of course, the showcase hotel adjacent to Stanley Barracks. This latter facility, scheduled to open in September 2015, has been delayed until April 2016 as the result of weather and other impediments to construction. In the meantime the hotel people have engaged an architectural firm to work on restoration aspects of the Barracks, which are serving as office space for the developers. They are required to present to the city a proposal for appropriate reuse of the facility and its heritage imprint/impact in 2016 and the T.H.A. is monitoring that issue and actively involved in discussions with the hotel point people and appropriate city officials.

Massey Hall:

Phase one of the restoration and enhancement of Massey Hall was recently announced and efforts begun on bringing this marvellous venue back to its glory. T.H.A. is continuing to monitor and question the second phase development that impinges on the two venerable banks on Yonge Street [ 195 / 205 ]. Long time T.H.A. members will recall that the bank was the former headquarters of Heritage Toronto and the meeting place of T.H.A. and its predecessor MAHG, for many a year.

Villiers Island:

The T.H.A. was represented at various meetings to discuss the long term redevelopment of this area, which encompasses the mouth of the Don and is integral to the restoration of the natural outflow of this vital urban river. T.H.A.’s interests are both general and particular as any changes or ‘growth’ directly impacts on both the natural and built heritage of the area. There are a number of designated buildings on the site and one major facility that could potentially see a large scale heritage improvement. The T.H.A. submitted its concerns and is waiting, as are others, for the next round of discussions and proposals. This location is considered to grow over 20 years and is part of the city’s overall redevelopment of the East Donlands, Portlands and lakefront areas.

Toronto Parks:

T.H.A. is following our natural heritage partners in wishing to see how the City of Toronto will implement its “Our Common Grounds” strategic plan [ ten years in the making and then stalled under the Rob Ford regime ] which would see private sponsorship and ‘official’ volunteer organizations take over cleaning / sprucing / possible operating city parks in an enhanced version of community groups and volunteers ‘sponsoring ‘ highways and roads. Little progress seems to have been made since the proposal was first released in 2004.

Rouge National:

On the issue of parks, politics has raised its ugly head in the effort to create the first Urban National Park along the Rouge River watershed. A difference of opinion over environmental protection has arisen between the Provincial and Federal government and this has stopped the transfer of Ontario lands into the park acreage. When, or whether, this dispute can be resolved many don’t know. For now, this major protection of our natural heritage on the east side of the city has been compromised and a great opportunity seems to be lost.

News Coverage:

The recent release of the Strategic Report of the State of Heritage, produced by the T.H.A. and Heritage Toronto, generated press coverage, mostly from the usual sources, Christopher Hume, Marcus Gee, and others whose interest is in city development. All good, of course, that the media noticed and commented. Th is trend of looking at city development and its, often negative, impact on heritage features has been growing, and that is welcomed, with a number of articles surfacing bemoaning the loss of buildings or portions of neighbourhoods, but this is all reactionary and the subjects of the stories have still disappeared. Note the heavy interest in the Stollery demolition. Sadly, the attention soon turned to what was going to replace this venerable site – the second highest structure in Canada, if the developer gets his way. In the meantime more or our built heritage slips away. The T.H.A. continues to point out, where we can, to the press, other structure and city features similarly under threat.

Harper’s Largesse:

Th e Federal Government has launched its campaign to promote Canada’s 150th birthday, two years in advance with the release of $4 million for advertising. This, out of a total of $7.2 million allotted [ so far ] for the national birthday celebration. If this programme follows the outline of others, there will be money available at the local level for programmes in the community to promote Canada. As a strong heritage organization with many members involved in all aspects of history, we should be well suited to be recipients of funding for local events. What is in your neighbourhood worthy of being presented to the public as part of Canada’s 150th history? Best to start thinking now as 2017 isn’t that far away!

This is all part of $83 million earmarked to celebrate Canada’s military history and exploits over the remainder of the decade. The Department of National Defence has $32 million and Veterans’ Affairs $50 million for public education, ceremonies, events and remembrance partnerships. Looking to the future, can any T.H.A. member be such a partner?

The Federal Department of Heritage has prepared a document outlining “Key Milestone Anniversaries on the Road to 2017” 1016 Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s birthday, the 150th anniversary of the Fenian Raids, the 100th anniversary of the battle of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel, the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong. Are there local connections to any of these that can be part of the national celebration and bring attention to Toronto heritage?

Help for our Neighbours to the North:

The T.H.A. has had a plea from one of our northern neighbour heritage groups to help them in their effort to preserve a significant local and national heritage site. Part of the significant Black history of Ontario buildings, this is under threat and any hands all help is appreciated. Check out the website for all relevant details:
www.simcoe.com/news-story/5448067-saving-our-black-history-in-simcoe-county/

Honest Ed:

While there is no word on what will happen to the massive illuminated signage that adorns the walls of the Honest Ed emporium, there has been much in the press over how the site will be redeveloped, with a number of plans presented by the developer group from Vancouver. While it is inevitable that the current building will be demolished, in its place is a proposed edifice that will reflect the history of the site in its design. More important to the T.H.A. is that “Mirvish Village” will be enhanced and protected in the main to keep it as an enclave of the unique homes/stores that presently dot the lanes. In fact, the proposal off ers a totally pedestrian locale and opens the community up to a more friendly public realm while retaining the current ambiance. We’ll see if this becomes reality and follow the specific development proposals as they progress. Meanwhile across the street from the current discount empire, the north side of Bloor is also being redeveloped from the street front up with a multi-level tiered complex. Bloor and Bathurst will be a new and unfamiliar site in the next few years.

Is there a Toronto plan?

Vancouver has a Heritage Action Plan. All homes pre-1940 now have to be assessed before demolition is considered. Th is is to deter demolition and the loss of residential history. On average one single-family home is lost every day. – what is Toronto’s count? – There are city incentives to keep houses, but, if the owner insists on demolition they are required to recycle or reuse 90% of the material. Developers care required to divert 75% of the waste from landfill. Where does our ‘debris’ go?

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EVENTS April – May 2015:

April 1 to October 31:
Opening hours for the Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum, starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m.
Website:  www.tollkeeperscottage.ca.

April 1 to July 10:
The Community History Project has a display in the Ontario Legislature.

April 9:
For its April heritage talk, Heritage York is presenting its April heritage talk, by Bob Galaway on the “Aerodromes of Toronto de Lesseps to Downsview and Beyond” 7:30 p.m. at Lambton House, 4066 Old Dundas Street, York
Website: www.lambtonhouse.org

April 13:
The Town of York Historical Society presents a talk by Sandra Joyce. At 7 p.m., Ms. Joyce will discuss the 100,000 children who were sent to Canada from Great Britain, as farm workers and domestics.The presentation will be at Campbell House Museum, 160 Queen St. West. Tickets are $15 for members, and $18 for non-members, or $40 for a ticket, and an individual membership.
Website: www.townofyork.com.

April 15:
North York Historical Society in partnership with the North York Central Library, Canadiana Department, NYHS is presenting a talk, “LOST BREWERIES OF TORONTO” at 7:30 p.m., Jordan St. John, coauthor of “How to Make Your Own Brewskis: The Goto Guide for Craft Brew Enthusiasts.” Jordan is a nationally syndicated beer columnist. Meeting location: North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge Street, in Meeting Room #1 ( west side of atrium ).

April 18:
Heritage Toronto and Riverdale Historical Society in partnership with the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation, there will be a plaque unveiling, commemorating St. Matthew’s Lawn Bowling Club from 12 to 2 pm.

April 22:
Community History Project Wednesday lecture series continues with a talk from author Margo Salnek about her photo-essay “Coach Houses of Toronto”. A wonderful chance to see beautiful excerpts from her project and her book. $10 at the door. Seating is limited, so book on-line at tollkeeperscottage@gmail.com to reserve a spot. 750 Davenport Road at Bathurst.
Website:  www.tollkeeperscottage.ca.

April 25:
Blue Canoe! Be a part of celebrating Community History Project’s mini pollinator’s garden at Davenport and Bathurst from noon to 3 pm. Look for the Blue Canoe near our commemorative birch trees. Thanks to the wonderful people at City of Toronto Parks Department, the David Suzuki Foundation, and the Mississaugas of the New Credit for making this possible. 750 Davenport Road at Bathurst.
Website: www.tollkeeperscottage.ca.

April 28:
New Toronto Historical Society:
Please join us at LAMP, 185 Fifth Street at 7 pm on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 for Stewart Boden from Archives Ontario. The presentation will feature historical film clips from the Archives’ Collection all produced by the Government of Ontario. Th e all Ontario subjects of the films include health promotion, tourism, education and OPS staff training. Come for this nostalgic look at Ontario’s people and places.

April 28:
The Riverdale Historical Society is presenting guest John McDonald, author and historian, who will speak about some of the historical connections between Riverdale and Halton County. Th e talk will start at 6 p.m. at the St. Matthew’s Clubhouse, 450 Broadview Avenue at Langley. Admission $4 / free to RHS members.
Website: www.riverdalehistoricalsociety.com

April 29:
Heritage Toronto:
A historical plaque commemorating the “father of public health dentistry in Canada” will be unveiled at 57 Elm Street. Remarks will begin at 3 p.m. in the atrium at the Hospital for Sick Children.

May 20:
The North York Historical Society is presenting “RHUBARB REVELRY” at the Gibson House Museum at 7:30 p.m. Th e speakers are Dorie Billich, Curator and Maggie Newell, Program Office. Th is event includes refreshments and rhubarb samples in the Parlour, Dining Room and Historic Kitchen. 5172 Yonge Street, new entrance off Park Home Avenue.
Website:  www.nyhs.ca

April 30th:
The Annual General Meeting of the Toronto Historical Association. St. Matthew’s Lawn Bowling Club. Elections to the Board. Awards Presentations. Reports and Guest Speaker. See details on the website and in your e-mail inbox.

May 26:
New Toronto Historical Society:
Please join us at LAMP, 185 Fifth Street on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 for Terry Reardon’s presentation on the unique and fascinating relationship between Churchill and King, Canada’s longest serving Prime Minister. Terry’s book has been the subject of interviews on radio and TVO’s Agenda. Copies of Terry’s book will be available at a discounted price of $25.00 including HST

May 30:
The North York Historical Society is presenting “WHAT’S SPRINGING UP” at the Gibson House Museum between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Th is will be a celebration of the new garden, orchard and access from Park Home Avenue, and to relaunch the Gibson House Museum – post construction. 5172 Yonge Street, new entrance off Park Home Avenue.
Website:  www.nyhs.ca

March 5th to June 14th:
Fort York Visitors’ Centre:
Canadian war artist, Gertrude Kearns exhibit of portraits: Th e Art of Command –featuring 20 large paintings and drawings of Canadian commanders. Th is display contains provocative images and strong language and may not be appropriate for all audiences.

May 23rd and 24th:
Doors Open Toronto. Many locations throughout the city and many places associated with the T.H.A. are open to the public for this grand weekend event. One venue, the St. Matthew Lawn Bowling Club [ our AGM location] is seeking help to promote their facility. Exhibits and displays on lawn bowling or the building, costumed attendees and other help would be welcomed. Let us know if you can help.
Contact:  info@torontohistory.net 

August 22nd and 23rd:
Mississaugas of the New Credit 29th Annual POW WOW and Traditional Gathering: Th e Th ree Fires Homecoming is back again.
Website:  www.newcreditpowwow.com

Please forward your activity or event to:  editor@torontohistory.net

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THE HISTORY OF THE WEEB?

Google Maps: Google, in its efforts to march across the world and control information on everything, offered people the opportunity to scan Google Maps and make improvements where needed. The Google Map Maker routine allowed the public to add roads, rivers, trails and points of interest – here is where groups can add their site, structure, neighbourhood or other significant feature in promoting city heritage. Has any T.H.A. group taken advantage of this?

The City of Toronto put in place a similar, smaller scale initiative way back in 2011! Called Wellbeing Toronto [ www.toronto.ca/wellbeing ] that set up a map of significant issues/features across the city. Th ere was a Twitter feature #WBtor. at the time as well. In charge at the time was Chris Brillinger, executive director of social development, finance and administration. Anyone check to see if local historic features were ever included or recognized?

University of Waterloo set up a national site called Building Stories that was to highlight historic structures in Canada with links and other information. Again, was this opportunity explored by any T.H.A. groups? www.buildingstories.co [ yes ‘co’ not com or ca ]

And, finally we suggest Daytime Television. While much of what people watch is on computers and not home TVs, there is still a great market for community based daytime lifestyle television [broadcast and streamed]. Here content is important as they have to fi ll hours of local programming so any event, news feature or other community programme can be an important time fi ller. How many groups are off ering programme ideas or alerting the local carriers to possible ‘news’? Your T.H.A. President has appeared on a number of ‘breakfast television ‘episodes and can attest to the broad reach these features have.

All of these concerns and concepts are opportunities for our T.H.A. membership to promote the good and bad of heritage in the city. It takes time, some critical and creative thinking and some help from the members, but, if the stories we tell are important, and we know they are, then we must make the eff ort to reach out to as many people as we can in as many ways as we can.

Your T.H.A. executive can guide and support you in these undertakings. Contact the Board and add your voice and expertise. Help us to help others. Strength in numbers is not a fable.

Ending on a positive note: History and heritage is making its mark on the city folk and media. Metroland Corporation has a number of online columns and blogs on history/heritage and has invited T.H.A. and member groups to develop and post stories to their sites.

Check out:
www.insidetoronto.ca/toronto-topics/5326858-toronto-time-capsule to see what is already out there. Good stuff

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To post your activity or event in our newsletterplease forward your activity or event to: editor@torontohistory.net.

Toronto Historical Association
P.O. Box 67, Toronto’s First
Post Office, 260 Adelaide
Street East, Toronto M5A 1N1

www.torontohistory.net

PRESIDENT’S REMARKS:

‘TIS THE SEASON!!.. Yes, January has come and gone and with its passing the last of the New Year’s resolutions are all but consigned to the trash bin. One resolution we hope you have not discarded is your commitment to the history and heritage of Toronto. With preservation issues swirling about the halls of power, the anticipated influx of tourists for international events and the ,sadly, general lack of knowledge among the public, as they go about their busy schedules in the face of the ‘economic downturn’ , the need to preserve and promote the unique legacy that is Toronto’s past is more important than ever.

As volunteers we need to be creative and innovative and, moreover, supportive of individual and group efforts to keep our natural, built and cultural heritage in the minds and hearts of the people. Keeping our history and heritage alive unequivocally adds quality of life to the city, economic benefit through tourism and a vision of the city’s past as it moves toward the future.

Here is our chance to keep our resolution and to benefit from its results as we move into 2015 and, once more, bring to the wider audience, the wonderful aspects of our city that make it a great place to live and grow.

Putting your ideas out there and working with fellow T.H.A. member groups can and does bring about change. Don’t let your resolve falter as we move through this year.

Paul Federico

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DISSIN’ THE GAMES

Much has been written about the padded expenses of the Games executives, the cost overruns and the faulty estimates of costs, the debate over disruptions in traffic and the expected difficulties in moving around our, already crowed metropolis. More than likely, there will post mortems ad nauseam over whether it was all worth it and, if the left behind infrastructure actually is of benefit to the city. We’ll leave that for the pundits and analysts to hash out over endless lattes.

What we do know is that the Pan Am/ParaPan Games are here and will be a force to reckon with through late June, July and August, if not into September. We are seeing some smaller events and activities being postponed or cancelled, others affected in minor ways. The T.H.A. has received concerns from some of its member groups of how the Games are ‘hurting’ some of their scheduled efforts. We are making our concerns known to those we can reach.

BUT, the reality is that large numbers of tourists will be coming into the city and be looking for more out of their experience than just sitting in various sports arenas watching athletes. We’ve all heard the comments that restaurants and theatres and other venues will benefit from the ‘ overflow’.. The task for us is how do the T.H. A. Groups benefit from this influx. Publicity and promotion is important and there is, or will be, access to the Pan Am/Parapan Games Media office for ‘community groups’ so that the3 events and activities may be distributed to the 3,500 accredited media who are showing up to cover the events and talk up the multitudinous amenities and unique sites in Toronto. We need to be on that band wagon. Media releases, handouts, brochures, links to websites, contact lists.. all of these and more are required from the T.H.A. groups who wish to reach out and tap into that curiosity from those ‘ outside of Toronto’… T.H.A. is contacting officials and will be following up with various partners on strategies and we encourage any member group with information to alert the T.H.A. and share this knowledge with fellow members. We need to let everyone know there is more to the city than the AGO, ROM and the ‘ cultural events’ of the Ballet and Symphony, magnificent as they are. T.H.A. and the communities and groups it represents are pretty awesome, too.

RED CARPET TIME

At this time of the year, we are flooded with Awards Galas and Red Carpet parades of stars, movers and shakers. The speculation on this year’s Oscar winner is rife throughout the ‘entertainment media’. Well the T.H.A. is not immune to this syndrome. We, too, have our own Unique Special Award opportunity and you, the members, get to decide who takes a bow.

We are looking for nominees for the Peggy Kurtin Memorial Award for Heritage Excellence in 2014 – your choice for the best T.H.A. member group who excelled in promoting the city history and heritage in the past year. Let us give a great big pat on the back and ‘ way to go’ thumb s up to one of our own for their efforts in 2014 in bringing public attention to our city’s unique history.

We are looking for nominees for the President’s Award for dedicated service to city heritage in 2014 – your choice for the best individual T.H.A. person who worked tirelessly on behalf of Toronto’s heritage and who, in the great scheme of things, would otherwise be lost in the hurly burly of the ‘game’. Here’s your chance to tap a fellow T.H.A. member on the shoulder and say ‘ Good on Yer!’..

Let us have your nominations before March 31. Just send a paragraph or two outlining your reasons for the nomination and any other relevant information to : info@torontohistory.net

Awards will be presented at the T.H.A. AGM to be held in late April. Time and place will be announced shortly by e-mail, on the website and twitter and other means. Pick your winners and plan to be at the AGM..

SPEAKING OF WHICH

The Annual General Meeting of the Toronto Historical Association will be held in April. Date, Time and Location to be announced soon. Keep your last week of April open and we will have the details out as soon as possible. As always your presence is expected. The T.H.A. operates at your behest and on your behalf and provides a strong link and forum to other community efforts, politicians and governments at all levels and promotes the City of Toronto’s natural, built and cultural heritage and reaches out to the wider public on initiatives that impact city heritage. Your support is important.

But, beyond your attendance at the AGM, we need you to be actively involved. The opportunity to network, cross promote, speak up on important issues and matters and support your own community efforts is all before you in the T.H.A.

There are vacancies on the Board and some of our stalwart board members are reluctantly stepping away after many years of service. Here’s your chance!.. Member groups need to put forward candidates from their organizations to represent them on the Board and to help promote, not only their little piece of the city, but the city-wide ongoing endeavour to protect its history. Nominations may be made to the Board of Directors through: editor@torontohistory.net Please provide a 150 word précis of the nominee and contact information. Speak Up!

But first…Pay Up…Yes, it’s that time of the year.. Annual Dues for T.H.A. membership are required. Membership for 2014/15 expires on March 31 and you don’t want to be an April Fool by not being back in the good books for 2015/16. Renewal/Application forms and other pertinent information on the T.H.A. registration process and other material can be found on the link on our website. We will be sending out notification reminders to the T.H.A. contact list and official mailing addresses provided by member groups.

If your information is not current in our files, if you have changed contacts, e-mail addresses, websites or delegates have changed, now is the time to let us know!!

LET’S TALK:

You can’t be ‘a presence’ in the world today without reaching out to people by Social Media. And the T.H.A. has waded into the waters as best we can [ always looking for tech savvy types to help boost our profile ]. While Twitter gives us an opportunity to alert the wider public of recent events, upcoming issues and other activities relevant to heritage, it is not a forum for detailed information. It is great for promoting and public awareness and we are always in need of material to post… send us your Tweets! Links! Likes! And Follow Us!.. it all helps.

We can, with our website post detailed articles on city heritage and we encourage, nay beg, member groups to write articles on aspects of their community history. People, places, events, significant features and structures within their bailiwick, anything that speaks to the history of the city, big and small, that can offer the wider reading public insight into some interesting fact or feature of Toronto.. Nothing is more satisfying for a reader than to say they learned something new and Toronto’s history still has plenty of stories to tell.

Here is your chance to exercise your inner Blogger, to see if you are the next Hemingway to speak up about your part of the city. We need stories and insights into Toronto. Send us your scribbles – up to 2000 words [ photos properly credited may accompany the article ] Post to: editor@torontohistory.net

You’re at the keyboard reading this..open a new tab and start typing!..

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ISSUES:

As always there are many activities and issues that rise up across the city, some impact a building, a street, perhaps a small area of the city, but, eventually, all have a ripple effect and bring heritage, for good or ill, to the attention of the general public. The T.H.A. tries, with its limited resources and volunteer efforts, to cover as many of these endeavours on behalf of the member groups and the interests of heritage in general. Here are some of the latest involvements.

Villiers Island

This is the new name for the mouth of the Don River redevelopment at the Keating Channel. Like many efforts it is a multi-year undertaking and dependent on public/private partnerships, the critical mass of attention from interested stakeholders and local community input. The T.H.A. has been one of those interested parties from the early stages of the issue and has attended meetings and spoken out regarding the value of preserving salient heritage features, structures and areas and our concerns over respectful reuse of buildings and other heritage facilities. This is an ongoing issue which will be developed; it is anticipated, over some 20 years. No doubt the plans and proposals now promulgated will change over time and the T.H.A. is following these and adding input where we can. Right now on the site are a number of heritage designated structures among them a large marine warehouse and a fine old early 20th century fire hall. Continue to follow the T.H.A. website for further updates.

Street Study

The city, in its policy of zoning reappraisals and development issue, is conducting s study for the Official Plan of street areas/corridors in the downtown along Jarvis/Sherburne and such. T.H.A. is attending the information sessions and asking questions where appropriate on the matter. This is an early stage public input opportunity. We would welcome any of the T.H.A. groups affected by this to step up and advise on specific concerns. Communication is key.

McLaughlin Planetarium

This venerable structure is back in the news. U of T has announced a new proposal for redeveloping this site. A multi-story structure which would include the requisite condo residences and an added feature that , supposedly, mitigates loss of this unique facility in its present form, a museum of Jewish Heritage for the ground floors. While T.H.A. welcomes museums and the promotion of the city’s vibrant cultural diversity, it is sad to contemplate the loss of one of the last and dwindling astronomical features in the GTA… The Dunlop Observatory remains a sore spot on that horizon.

Ex Place Hotel

While it may be a bit premature to say the ‘finishing touches’ are being placed on the boutique hotel sandwiched between the former automotive building and the Stanley Barracks, the building is slated for an official opening in September of this year. The structure is to feature a glass floor that exposes the early military archaeology of the ‘ new fort’ from 1841, in part, and will, it was previously announced, exhibits and displays in the lobby of Toronto’s early history, mostly of the War of 1812 and 1837 Rebellion ears [ as currently outlined ]. Again, anything that promotes and enhances heritage is welcomed.

Behind the scenes, however, is the hotel’s commitment to the adaptive reuse of the Stanley Barracks itself. As part of its lease agreement with the city and other landlords, the hotel is to present by 2016, a formal proposal for the active use of the building. The T.H.A. has been actively pursuing this and has had previous conversations with hotel representatives, though this has been at some remove of late. We continue to speak out, where possible, on this matter.

On a related front, we continue to monitor the developments surrounding BMO field, the NBA practise facility and other issues on the Ex grounds that will impact on the archaeological issues and heritage features present there. One large concern is the replacing of over 500 parking spaces that will be lost to the new developments.

1965 Redux

A possible Good News issue:

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the ‘new’ Toronto City Hall. And, while the news out of the square revolves more around the cost overruns and pace of redevelopment, this is an event that should be celebrated. Some T.H.A. member groups and others in the city community have been petitioning the powers that be, to do something to acknowledge this milestone and help boost the profile of this unique city feature. Complications exist over funding in an austerity ear and, of course, any public display naturally gravitates to the summer when, of course, the Pan Am Games overshadows everything else.

The T.H.A. continues to try and move this idea along. It would be a shame not to celebrate the City Hall and square which those Trekkers out there will recall appeared on twice on Star Trek [ both the original series and TNG!].

Hope springs or, should we say: live long and prosper?

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MEMBER EVENTS:

Check out the many events at the City of Toronto Museums by going to: www.toronto.ca/museum-events.

Mississaugas of the New Credit

On February 18, 19, 20, the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, are holding an Historic Gathering – sure to be oversubscribed so registration is required – presenting a overview of the heritage and legacy of the community and tribe. This is a great chance to see and hear about the original settlers of Toronto. More than worth the drive to Hagersville.

Full details and registration forms and other information can be found on the:
Website: www.newcreditfirstnation.com

Community History Project:

On Saturday February 20 and 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., CHP will be hosting knitting workshops. Every Saturday in February, 11:30am-12:30pm, 1-2pm, and 2:30-3:30pm, our docents Marilyn Spearin and Catherine Watts (experienced grandmothers!) will be at the museum to help with your knitting! Join us for yarn fun! $15 per person for the hour’s consult includes tea/tour.a . The Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum is at the intersection of Bathurst and Davenport. Join us for yarn fun! $15 per person for the hour’s consult includes tea/tour.

Send us an email to let us know which time you’d like. Maximum three people per time slot.
Email: tollkeeperscottage@gmail.com
Website: www.tollkeeperscottage.ca

Riverdale Historical Society

On February 24, 2015, 6:00 pm the Riverdale Historical Society is a presenting John Goddard, author, magazine writer and former Toronto Star reporter specializing in little-known wonders.
Join John Goddard, author of “Inside the Museums: Toronto’s Heritage Sites and Their Most Prized Objects”, as he illuminates Toronto’s early history through its small heritage museums.

Place: St. Matthew’s Clubhouse, 450 Broadview Avenue at Langley
Admission $4/free to RHS members

Website: www.riverdalehistoricalsociety.com

Town of York Historical Society

Every March 6, the Town of York Historical Society and Toronto’s First Post Office hold an event to honour the anniversary of Toronto’s incorporation. Each year, in the historic ballroom at St. Lawrence Hall, we highlight some aspect of the city’s past. This year marks Toronto’s 181st birthday.

This year, TYHS is presenting a play, “The Postman”, which is the story of Toronto’s first African-Canadian postman, Mr. Albert Jackson. The play starts at 7:30pm.

Tickets $35 at Toronto’s First Post Office, 260 Adelaide Street E.

Heritage York

On Sunday, March 8, at 2pm, Heritage York presents a talk by Alix Aylen (along with bike and tent). The talk is titled “Living the way of the bicycle”. Admission is free.

At Lambton House, 4066 Old Dundas Street, York.

Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society

The Toronto Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the following family history courses and workshops in the winter of 2015:

For program details, speaker biographies and information on how to register for these events, visit torontofamilyhistory.org/learn/courses.

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EVENTS:

City of Toronto:

We continue to direct you all to the excellent city of Toronto website for cultural and heritage events at the city museums. This excellent site offers plenty of activities and opportunities for T.H.A. members and the public to enjoy city heritage.

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OTHER NOTICES:

York Pioneers and Historical Society

The York Pioneers and Historical Society is investigating the process of digitizing its journal archives. If you or your historical society has any experience in this area to lend advice, or have been considering undertaking a similar project, please contact us at nickburton@live.ca

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Working together, bringing Toronto’s past into the future
P. O. Box 67, Toronto’s First Post Office, 260 Adelaide Street East, Toronto M5A 1N1
www.torontohistory.net

PRESIDENT’S REMARKS:

Did the Earth move for you? Did you feel it? As I write this, the World has shifted from Summer to Autumn and change is in the air. Looking forward, we await two of the wonders of Fall – Mother Nature’s great painting of the fields and forests in all the vibrant colours and Walmart’s Pre-Christmas Boxing Week Sale at Thanksgiving.

While we may decry Walmart’s relentless business attitude and quest to maximize profits, we should be mindful of their efforts and take note of their preparedness and efficiency. Too often we, in the volunteer sector, stumble and scramble to get things done in a timely fashion [ and I am not blameless in this as others will attest ]. September is the month when, after the varied summer activities, festivals, events and exhibitions, the groups gather together for meetings and planning sessions for the Fall and Winter and, hopefully, a long look into next Spring. Given our usually limited resources, it is beneficial to plan as much as we can in the times that we meet . Smart thinking suggests we look to our neighbour associations and network and combine resources, trade initiatives, take advantage of guest speakers and persons of interest, and seek ways of increasing our community profiles for the benefit of the city’s heritage. A number of THA members and others are planning upcoming events and the THA has a General Meeting scheduled for November [ see below ].

Make sure you take note of the listings, make notes on your calendars and notify your members of the varied opportunities available to interact with like minded people, the public and, in this election year, with your neighbourhood city councillors, to enhance the protection and preservation of Toronto’s great history.

Paul Federico

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LET’S TALK:

As often as we can, the THA prepares a newsletter which, we hope, offers insight, some timely information, opportunities for members and, of course, a chance to see what others in the THA community are doing. This newsletter goes out to a prepared mailing list BUT, from time to time we hear that the message didn’t get through or a specific group isn’t receiving anything, etc. We work from a list supplied by you, the membership. If the person we are sending notices to is no longer involved with an organisation, or no longer the contact, please advise us. If your association wishes the information we send out to go to more than one contact, please give us the additional information. If anything has changed, let us know!

We would hope that the newsletter gets the widest possible circulation and benefits as many as we can reach. Once we push ‘send’ and it is on its way, we trust that you continue the process –think of it as a chain letter and spread the word.

We will continue to post previous issues on the THA website and we invite you to check out the THA at www.torontohistory.net on a regular basis.

In addition, we welcome submissions, not just of upcoming events or activities, but stories/articles on specific items in your collections, significant events in your group’s history, people, places or buildings of particular note or pride, anything that tells the story of Toronto’s history/heritage, large or small. Release your inner Atwood and scribble some pithy potent tales of the city’s legacy for all to read. Send submissions to editor@torontohistory.net

CONGRATULATIONS:

The Toronto Historical Associations applauds the magnificent effort by the Friends of Fort York and Garrison Commo0n and the Department of Heritage, City of Toronto on the grand opening of the Visitor Information Centre and Exhibit Space at Historic Fort York. This new facility enhances and illustrates the history and heritage of this, often overlooked, National Historic Site and the birthplace of the city. We urge all of you to go and visit this wonderful new facility, long in coming and well worth the wait. What a magnificent addition to the story of Toronto.

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE:

There is still time to hound the local councillor wanabees and those left running for Mayor to find out their positions on heritage and how they would support our efforts in preserving the city history. Get them to dig past platitudes and speak up on issues we deem important to preservation and protection and, just as important promotion. Make sure your membership and the communities you serve know where the candidates stand and let us all speak for Toronto’s Heritage.

SELF DEFENSE:

Hallowe’en is fast approaching. What better way to ward off ghoulies and ghosties than with a brick from the infamous Don Jail. Infused with the evil that men do, bubbling over with angst and remorse and anger and carrying the weight of condemned sinners in its clay, these bricks speak to the dark side of Toronto’s history and could scare the hardest of Justin Beiber lookalikes at your door. Held aloft and waved menacingly imagine the terror they would impart [ leaving more candy for you ].

But, you can’t scare off the hoary hosts with one of these fine examples of Toronto’s history encapsulated in a small rectangle if you don’t order today! Only $ 49.99 with its own tote bag, certificate of authenticity and history of the jail. Send your order to info@torontohistory.net without delay!

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ISSUES:

Can we count these as “wins” for Heritage?

MIRVISH / GEHRY:

After many months of back and forth and outcry and revision, David Mirvish group presented their’ final’ revisions to the downtown project to the city. Planning departments and other city agencies poured over the issue and solicited input from the great list of stakeholders and ‘interested third parties’. The result, a much modified design that, it seems, many can agree on or accept. For the heritage community this means the retention of three of the four designated buildings and the theatre and a much smaller profile for the towers to be erected. Issues surrounding parking and transit and density remain but these seem to be being handled through ‘process’. While, perhaps, not the outcome purists would have wished for, much of what was thought to be lost, has been retained and promises to be enhanced. A cautious thumbs up on this one.

SAM THE RECORD MAN:

Agreement has been reached between the City of Toronto and Ryerson University which will see the iconic Sam The Record Man neon discs hoisted high over Yonge and Dundas. Though no longer part of the streetscape as promised, the neon wonders will flash above the crowds, across the street from their original location, atop a city owned building, the Toronto Public Health Building 227 Victoria Street., at least for a few years, as this building is slated for redevelopment in ten to fifteen years. Details to be worked out include who is paying to haul and install? Who is paying for restoration and ongoing maintenance? The University and Toronto City Council agreed on July 7th to put it there, so all we can do is wait and see. A timid thumbs up until the words at City Hall translate into action.

PAN AM Games:

THA has seen nothing concrete, so far, on how local community interests may access money supposedly available to promote, enhance, illuminate or otherwise benefit localities and neighbourhoods adjacent or close to the games venues. Press releases indicate that this magnificent sporting event is more than just athletes in competition but a chance to show off what the city has to offer in culture, the arts and history/heritage. With games slated to start next year. Time is running out – let’s hope the money doesn’t as well.

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MEMBER EVENTS:

Check out the many events at the City of Toronto Museums by going to: www.toronto.ca/museum-events.

Community History Project:

Starting our fall Wednesday Lecture Series, Wednesday October 15, at 7 p.m., at the Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum. Patrick Nadjiwon will talk the topic of how the Native Indian Peoples lived on the land prior to settlement by the English. The Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum is at the intersection of Bathurst and Davenport. Admission is $10.

Website: www.tollkeeperscottage.ca.

North York Historical Society:

On Wednesday October 15, at 7:30 p.m. NYHS will be hosting a talk by the author John Godard on his new book “INSIDE THE MUSEUMS: Toronto’s Heritage Sites and Their Most Prized Objects”. The talk will be at the North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge in Meeting Room #1, 2nd Floor (west side of atrium) use elevator outside library. Admission is free.

Heritage Toronto:

On Tuesday October 21, Heritage Toronto will be hosting the “40th Annual Heritage Toronto Awards and William Kilbourn Memorial Lecture”. This event will be at the Koerner Hall, Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor West. The Nominee’s Reception starts at 6:00 p.m., the Awards Ceremony starts at 7:30 p.m. This is a ticketed event.

Website: heritagetoronto.org

Community History Project:

On Saturday October 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., CHP will be hosting a corn husk doll making workshop, at the Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum. Catherine Watts will show you how to make corn husk dolls like the 19th century farmers made for their children. The Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum is at the intersection of Bathurst and Davenport. Admission is $10 (includes materials and tour of the Museum).

Website: www.tollkeeperscottage.ca.

St. James Cathedral Museum and Archives:

Come out and see the great new exhibit at St. James opening November 6 and running to November 16: Called To Serve – a history of Canadian Military Chaplaincy. Exhibits, displays, guest speakers – and it is all free!. Open every day 8 am to 6 pm. On November 14th there will be a Special Symphony Concert and multi-media tribute to : “The Unknown Soldier” composed by Andrew Ager [ cost for the concert is $25 ] and tickets may be ordered through the website.

Website: www.stjamescathedral.on.ca.

Costume Society of Ontario:

The Costume Society of Ontario is holding its Annual General Meeting on Saturday, November 15 at 1 pm at the Textile Museum of Canada in the heart of Chinatown. Full details will appear on the CSO website and Facebook page. Following the meeting portion there will be presentations, open the public, by special guest speakers, among those presenting will be THA President Paul Federico.

As well, the CSO has some interesting events planned for October and early November, exhibit tours, presentations and programmes of interest to many. Check out the postings for time and location on the CSO website.

Toronto Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society:

On Saturday November 1, the Toronto Branch (OGS) will be hosting a full day of lectures on the “Major Effects of the Industrial Revolutions on English Society from 1750 to 1900”, at the North York Central Library Auditorium. A registration fee is required.

Website: www.torontofamilyhistory.org

North York Historical Society:

On Wednesday November 19, at 7:30 p.m., NYHS will be hosting a talk by the author Susan Evans Shaw on her new book “Canadians at War: A Guide to the Battlefields of World War I”. The talk will be at the North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge in Meeting Room #1, 2nd Floor (west side of atrium) use elevator outside library. Admission is free.

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EVENTS:

Toronto Public Libraries:

The Toronto Public Libraries remember the Great War with a number of exhibits, speakers, author presentations and book promotions across the library system and at the Reference Library. Too many to mention here in this brief space so check out what’s on at www.torontopubliclibrary.ca ; www.tpl.ca/bookbuzz ;www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/appelsalon

Working together, bringing Toronto’s past into the future

P. O. Box 67, Toronto’s First Post Office, 260 Adelaide Street East, Toronto M5A 1N1

www.torontohistory.net

PRESIDENT’S REMARKS:

June is busting out all over!

Canada Day is just about upon us and Toronto is hosting World Pride! Well, why should the Gays be the only proud ones? We should be proud and loud about our city’s great and diverse history and heritage. What are we doing to let everyone in the city, young and old, new to the town and long time residents, know about the great history and heritage just around the corner or down the street from where we stand? Who has set up a card table on the street corner and handed out brochures and pamphlets on what they’re doing? Who is leading walking tours, giving talks? How are we going to convince people that the city’s legacy should be protected and enhanced if we are not working as hard as we can to promote what we have so that it isn’t lost? Not only with Pride Week, but with the upcoming CHIN Picnic, the Caribbean Festival, The Indy, our city is going to be the focus of hundreds, if not thousands of people. Wouldn’t it be nice to have them leave knowing and appreciating just a little bit more about what a great city Toronto is and how its history has helped shaped the nation in both big and small ways? Let’s commit to the balance of this year and in the years to come to preserve and promote all the history and heritage around us.

As I sit and type this, I can’t believe half the year has already gone past [ how the H-E- double hockey sticks did that happen?] and, while, like most, I moan what is left to do, in reflecting back over the last six months, I note many accomplishments by T.H.A. and its member groups. So, this is not the time to grump at things not done, but to salute the things we have done. While not losing the momentum and the verve and the desire to preserve our city’s natural, built and cultural history, I suggest that this Canada Day you sit back with friends and family and hoist a cold beverage of your choice and toast the many people like you who have and are working tirelessly to keep Toronto’s unique history alive in the hearts and minds of our city.

Keep up the good work, enjoy your summer and tell everyone you meet about Toronto’s great heritage and why it is important, in all its aspects, to be preserved and promoted. We are the pre-eminent city of the nation and we need to show we are proud of it.

Paul Federico

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YOU SAY HELLO, I SAY GOODBYE

The Annual General Meeting of the Toronto Historical Association was held on Sunday, June 1, 2014 at the St. Matthew Lawn Bowling Club, overlooking the scenic Don Valley. Along with usual reports, opportunities to network and other activities generally associated with such programmes, elections were held to renew the Board of Directors for the coming years.

As President, it was my privilege to work with some fine, highly creative and strongly supportive individuals who provided direction and insight and dedicated many hours to the work of the THA and heritage across the city. I am deeply gratified for their work and saddened that they decided to step down from their positions as their terms were completed. I fully understand their desire to explore new opportunities and thank them all on behalf of the THA membership for their unstinting efforts on behalf of Toronto’s history. I thank Marti Latta, Harriet De Koven, Barry Mapes, Dawn Ayer and David Wencer for their many hours on our behalf – they attended many meetings around the city, gathered copious research, were instrumental in revamping initiatives within the THA and helped in rebuilding the Website and establishing our Twitter presence. They have all set out great plans for the new board to undertake and require a great debt of gratitude for their work.

At the same time, I am pleased to welcome a new slate of members to the Board of Directors, who, I have no doubt, will be as dedicated and insightful in their work for the T.H.A. and heritage and provide sage counsel and sober oversight to all our work on your behalf. Please welcome, Linda Symsyk [ Swansea Historical Society ] Lisette Mallet [ La Société d’Histoire de Toronto ] and Michael White [ Todmorden Mills Wildflower Preserve ] to the Board. They join Paul Litt [ Past President ], Carolyn King, [Vice-President], Bill Kindree [ Treasurer], Paul Denter [ Director] and myself on the Board for 2014-2016.

If you do the math, you will see that we are one short on the Board. We are in need of help to fill the mandate of the THA and are open to any and all nominations for the vacant position. It is not too late to have input and the opportunity to direct change in the city by volunteering for the THA Board of Directors.

THE BEST D#^%M AWARDS IN THE CITY!

As part of the recent AGM, the Toronto Historical Association inaugurated two awards, long overdue, to acknowledge the work of THA members, both individuals and groups. Recognizing the work of our own members in promoting, preserving and enhancing the city’s history and heritage, in all its manifestations, was long overdue. These awards were a small , but tangible, way to show that the, often unsung, work of groups and people are eminently worthwhile and should be supported. At the same time, it afforded us an opportunity to recognize a long time, late and lamented individual who dedicated a large part of her life to local and city-wide heritage and who’s value to all of us was not shown to her , in her lifetime, as much as she deserved.

The 1st Annual Peggy Kurtin Memorial Award for Heritage Excellence was awarded to long-time T.H.A. Member Group: La Société d’Histoire de Toronto. Their efforts in promoting the, often forgotten, Francophone heritage of the city and the history of the earliest European settlers to the area and the presence and influence of the French on the origins of Toronto were worthy of this award. Congratulations.

The 1st Annual President’s Award for individual effort above and beyond was awarded to again, a long time [ and some would say, long suffering ] member of the THA who has served tirelessly on the Board, in the community and on behalf of heritage across the city for many years, humbly and quietly but with great effect. Molly Sutherland was recognized for her passion and dedication to Toronto and community heritage and the well-deserved initial recipient of this award.

Congratulations to our award recipients and thanks for working so hard on Toronto’s legacy of history.

Nominations are now open for the 2014 awards which will be presented at next year’s AGM.

PROMOTING TORONTO’S HISTORY IN A CONCRETE WAY:

Well, actually in clay, but!!! You can add to the preservation of Toronto’s history in a tangible manner by acquiring a unique piece of city history. Yes! You know what I’m talking about – the one of a kind, authentic and spectacular Don Jail Bricks!

Great as a historic cobblestone marker in your driveway! Fantastic as the cornerstone of your garden wall! Make it the talked about centrepiece in your new backyard BBQ installation! These versatile mementos of Toronto’s [in]famous past will surely be a conversation starter and much talked about over beers and burgers at any backyard gathering. Be the envy of your street. Only $49.99 in our Summer Sale! With the civic election upcoming and the imminent return of Rob Ford to stir things up, what better item to remind politicians of why they should do more for heritage than a Don Jail Brick* [ *note: THA does not endorse the use of violence to induce heritage-positive outcomes in the election, so please do not use the brick directly on candidates]. Order your brick today by contacting info@torontohistory.net

GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT THERE:

Has anyone used this service? The Ontario Genealogical Society is offering to heritage organizations access to scanning technology for electronic archiving and online posting of valuable and fragile paper records.

The equipment is portable and can be brought to your site/location to minimize damage to the documents/papers and they will provide technicians! There is a modest cost but there are also cost-recovery/revenue possibilities as well and for large efforts the OGS will help submit an application for a Trillium grant.

Get your message out, show what you have and keep history in the forefront of the world wide web!

Contact: Ontario Genealogical Society # 102, 40 Orchard View Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario, M4R 1B9 phone: 416-489-0734 Fax: 416-489-9803

E-mail: provoffice@ogs.on.ca with subject line PPV

FINDING MONEY:

We’ve all got great ideas and projects we want to promote, but finding money, next to willing volunteers is often a tough undertaking. Oh, we can apply for all sorts of grants but the timing is poor, long, doubtful and the competition heavy. Hitting up donors and volunteers is always tough. Now, there is a new way to shake the tree for cash. It’s working for movie productions, music videos and theatre projects, why not for history / heritage. Talking about CrowdFunding. Why not investigate the National Crowdfunding Association of Canada for opportunities and information or turn to an Angel _ The Business Development Bank is involved in connecting ‘ partners’ in projects and there is money out there funded by investors and philanthropists under the NACO the National Angel Capital Organization. If your project is worth doing, it’s worth doing well and finding the right funding to make it a reality is worth the effort.

CANADIAN CUISINE – PART OF OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE

Time for us to come up to the table and start bragging about our unique Canadian cuisine. Authentic food reflecting the character of our nation and city. Why can’t food be historical?

The Government of Japan applied to UNESCO for washoku – a traditional dish based on the seasons, to be granted the status of “ intangible cultural heritage” UNESCO has also designated the Mediterranean diet and the Turkish dish kashkek. If tamagoyaki [ egg rolls ] can be considered a cultural heritage so can poutine or maple-flavoured back bacon. What is the iconic, traditional Toronto dish that speaks to our city’s heritage and deserves a worldwide UNESCO crown?

FREE FROM THE GOVERNMENT

There’s still time to nominate one your members, someone from the community or a deserving individual for a Provincial Award. The Province of Ontario is inviting you to submit a nominee for An Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship. Deadline is July 17th. Think you know someone who has made a significant contribution to community life?

Then contact: www.ontario.ca/honoursandawards. Presentations are made by the Lieutenant Governor in the fall at special ceremonies at Queen’s Park. Don’t delay. There are many outstanding people in the Toronto heritage community that need to be thanked and applauded for their tireless efforts in preserving the city’s history. This could be one small way to say; Job Well Done.

MARCHING OFF TO WAR:

The THA has been contacted by the Federal Government Department of Canadian Heritage. They would like to know what we are doing across Toronto to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the War to End All Wars. World War i – particularly events open to the public on or about August 4.

If your group has an event planned at a local cenotaph, community centre or a special event or presentation to the public, let us know asap so we can alert the DCH. Contact the THA at info@torontohistory.net or call Paul Federico at 905 866 2835

On July 31, 2014 at Varsity Stadium there will be a major event for WWI – featured will be Prof. Margaret McMillan, Oxford University, General Thomas Lawson CDS with musical performances by the Massed Band of the Canadian Armed Forces. Sponsored by the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History, The City of Toronto, The Munk School and others. Tickets/reservations required [event is free ].

Go to firstworldwar.utoronto.ca/in-memoriam

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ISSUES:

As always, a number of activities and undertakings across the city have a direct effect on Toronto’s history and heritage. The THA was active and continues to be on a number of fronts.

MERVISH/GEHRY:

Along with a number of other groups, the THA asked a number of questions of the developer group and the city on what would happen to the heritage designated properties that were enveloped in the development proposal. Discussions and debate swirled about at public meetings and input from the THA was sought and provided at various forums. The City and its departments worked hard to find a compromise to the efforts of the Mirvish Group to significantly alter the streetscape along King Street. In the end a significant compromise was reached with Toronto City Planning, Development and other agencies that resulted in a large scale change to the design and footprint of the project. THA is gratified that a number of heritage structures will be saved and integrated into the development in more than a cosmetic manner and that the scale of the project reflects and recognizes the history of the city and the area.

SAM THE RECORD MAN:

It seems that the city and Ryerson University have found a way to both preserve the iconic neon signs from Yonge Street’s earlier era and to honour the contracts and commitments made when the signs were dedicated as heritage properties and contracted to be preserved. While not rteturning to the same, or adjacent, location on Yonge at street level as initially promised, it appears that an agreement has been made to have them shine once more atop a city owned property overlooking Yonge at the Dundas intersection to add their lustre to Toronto’s attempt at creating an homage to New York’s Times Square through Neon Illumination. There are still many negotiations underway to finance, restore, erect and maintain these examples of Yonge Street’s youth and the THA will continue to monitor the moves and request that the parties honour their agreements to each other and the people of the Toronto who wished these preserved as part of our history.

EX PLACE / STANLEY BARRACKS:

The THA and member group, Canada Camps, have attended a number of meeting with Ex Place Board of Governors and third party organizations on the many changes being made to the grounds of what is usually referred to as the CNE.

The latest endeavour is by MLSE who is moving to revamp and expand the BMO field to accommodate more than just the soccer league. Plans call for an increase from 20 thousand to 30 thousand permanent seats and an additional 10 thousand mobile/temporary seating, plus a roof structure and other amenities on the present building. Construction is to begin after Labour Day this year and be complete, by 2016.

THA and Canada Camps raised concerns over archaeological issue and the sensitivity over the internment camp issue given the present world focus on the Ukraine and Canada’s WWI commemoration moves. Assurances were given by MLSE and the EX Board that all appropriate measures were in place to have a full assessment done before digging at that they were mindful of the need to not adversely affect any native, early settler or subsequent heritage as they build.

Ex Place is conducting some exploratory work by the Band Shell with respect to the early French presence on the grounds and promised to post results on its websites or have the findings publicly available.

The THA was able to continue its discussion with Classical Library Hotels over the fate of Stanley Barracks and was gratified to hear that, as the hotel nears completion [ slated to open December 2015 ], the management is moving forward with its expressed interest to have exhibits and displays of area history in the lobby treatments [ for which THA will be making contributions ] and that the park installation [ trees, grass, walking paths, seating, etc ] that will surround the Barracks are brought into place that a proper acknowledgement of the earlier history of the location will be acknowledged in a tangible and appropriate manner.

The hotel group is required to come up with a plan for use of the Stanley Barracks building no later than 2016. It sits empty, and has been in that state for a number of years, sadly, ignored by both the city and Ex Place which has allowed for much deterioration – the hotel has had to should the expense of maintaining the building in the condition it was given to them and has made some effort to improve things by, even the simple feat of getting the heating system back on]. The hotel group is anxious to discuss with the THA an appropriate future use of the building and meetings are planned for the near future. This would be a great undertaking in seeing that a preeminent piece of our city’s and country’s heritage is preserved, enhanced and part of the public legacy once again.

OTHER HERITAGE MATTERS:

No word on the move to add the Joy Gas Stations on the Lakeshore to the roster of restaurants dotting that landscape. THA is endeavouring to find out where this matter stands.

Downsview Lands continue to be an issue. Mattamy Homes has out a glossy brochure and print ads promoting their residential development on the grounds and Canada Lands continues to insist that development of the lands for residential and commercial use will be limited and intended to generate revenue to cover the costs of preserving the legacy of the area and making the park a publicly accessible and desirable recreational location. Local groups are tracking this matter.

The THA has and continues to attend meetings and public presentations on city initiated undertakings such as the Portlands/South of Eastern initiatives and the Development Permit System. More information will be posted when known.

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THA WELCOMES A NEW MUSEUM TO TORONTO:

Now open to the public throughout the summer! [ From July 2 – Tuesdays to Fridays with guided tours at 4 p.m. – tours by appointment as well.] Contact Carolyn Stewart at tours@mtzv.com or phone 416-599-7339

Yes! We’re talking about Moses Znaimer’s Museum of Television and Archive at 64 Jefferson Avenue in Liberty Village.

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MEMBER EVENTS

Check out the many events at the City of Toronto Museums by going to: www.toronto.ca/museum-events.

Wednesday, July 9, 9 p.m., Fort York.

Join the Homegrown National Park Project for an outdoor screening of the award-winning documentary Project Wild Thing. For more information www.davidsuzuki.org/homegrown. View the Project Wild Thing movie trailer vimeo.com/68072823.

Admission is FREE!

Website: www.fortyork.ca.

Saturday, July 12, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fort York.

A celebration of Caribbean steel pan music featuring seven GTA youth steelbands and the award winning ensembles Pan Fantasy and Afropan performing outdoors on the grounds of Fort York. Great Caribbean food, all ages pan workshops and plenty of opportunities for audience participation – dance, dance, dance! Come celebrate Toronto’s vibrant Caribbean community and support youth engagement with this proud tradition. Presented in partnership by Fork York and Pan Arts Network.

Admission is FREE!

Website: www.fortyork.ca.

Saturday, July 19, 1:30 to 11 p.m., Fort York.

Since 2008, TIME Festival has fast become Toronto’s premier summer dance/indie music festival focusing on the most cutting-edge, exciting artists in music today. This year’s TIME Fesitval is once again set to deliver a world class music festival experience, featuring: GRIMES, DEATH GRIPS, FLUME, ACTION BRONSON, ST LUCIA, SMITH WESTERNS, KAYTRANADA & more.

Visit www.embracepresents.com for tickets and more information.

Sunday July 20, 1 to 4 p.m., Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum.

Special Sunday opening of the Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum at Bathurst and Davenport.

Admission by donation.

Website: www.tollkeeperscottage.ca.

Thursday, July 24, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Fort York.
Friday, July 25 & Saturday, July 26, 12 to 4 p.m. & 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 27, 12 to 5 p.m.

For four days Fort York will be transformed into a foodie wonderland of summer eating, drinking and entertainment. 14 of the city’s latest, greatest and hottest restaurants will be dishing up their finest in a bar none alfresco gourmet feast. Top that off with over 50 producers of the best food, beverages and premium brands providing a bountiful food market, and you have the best culinary festival of the year!

Visit tasteoftoronto.com for tickets and more information.

Website: www.fortyork.ca.

Monday, August 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fort York.

Lieutenant-governor Simcoe founded the town of York (Toronto) in 1793 and was the first lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada (Ontario). Come learn about the birthplace of Toronto and thrill to the sounds of musketry, cannons and the fife and drum. Enjoy historic military presentations, family activities, feature performances, local crafts & food.

Admission is FREE.

Website: www.fortyork.ca.

Friday, August 15, 4 to 11 p.m., Fort York.

Mad Decent and Embrace Presents team up for their annual Mad Decent Block Party, featuring Diplo, Chance the Rapper., Flosstradamus, Grandtheft, ZEDS DEAD and more.

Tickets and more information available at www.maddecentblockparty.com.

Website: www.fortyork.ca.

Sunday, August 17, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Fort York.

Join us in the 1826 Officers’ Mess Kitchen and techniques, where participants will prepare (and sample!) a variety of delicious 18th and early 19th century dishes such as fruit fools, creams, tarts, pies, waters, ice creams or compotes using historic techniques and tools. A salmagundi will also be prepared and served for lunch. Lunch and recipe package included.

For class information please call: Bridget Wranich at 416-392-6907 ext. 225

To register, call: 416-392-6907 ext. 221.

Pre-registration and payment required. $75 plus tax.

Website: www.fortyork.ca.

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EVENTS:

Saturday, September 27: YIMBY

The annual YIMBY event, again hosted by the Centre for City Ecology, will take place on September 27 at a new location. UTS – The University of Toronto Schools, located at the corner of Bloor Street West and Spadina Avenue [ opposite the JCC . THA will have a booth / table at the event and other area groups are encouraged to book space and promote heritage – table prices are $30 cash on the day but reservations are required – Google YIMBY ]

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Working together, bringing Toronto’s past into the future

P. O. Box 67, Toronto’s First Post Office, 260 Adelaide Street East, Toronto M5A 1N1

www.torontohistory.net