Blog Archives

Fort York National Historic Site

Conservation / Preservation:

Architecture

The walled Fort is home to eight original military structures dating to 1813-1815, including soldiers’ barracks, blockhouses, and munitions storehouses. In addition, the 17.5 hectare national historic site contains a significant portion of the original 1793 Garrison Common, including Victoria Memorial Square, Strachan Avenue Burying Ground, the mouth of the now-lost Garrison Creek, the still-active Fort York Armoury, and the Fort York Visitor Centre.

Artefacts

The site contains many artefacts documenting early Canadian and British military history, including uniforms, weapons, headgear, artillery, tools, musical instruments, bottles, cookware, and personal items, many of which are on display in the museum’s exhibits.

Public Programming:

Exhibitions

Approximately eight exhibitions that offer a window into early nineteenth-century life at the Fort, including,

  • Restored soldiers’ and officers’ barracks, and 1826 officers’ mess dinner kitchen.
  • Archeological exhibits documenting the excavation and preservation of site itself.
  • Audio/visual exhibits focusing on the War of 1812 and development of Fort York, and how it relates to the City of Toronto, over the centuries.

Tours

Guided tours by costumed staff are regularly conducted (inquire in advance of visit to find out availability).

Educational Programming

Progressive curricula for elementary school students focusing on various aspects of the lives of the Forts inhabitants, military history, and British North America in general.

Living History Animation

In the summer, interpreters in period military dress drill, fire musket and artillery, and play music.

Special events

Special programming, such as concerts, outdoor food festivals, as well as arts and cultural events take place throughout the year.

King Township Historical Society

Conservation/Preservation:

Archives/Library

In a community-wide call for material, families, businesses and organisations donated documents to the community archives. The township also contracted a historian to conduct oral interviews of residents. Personal papers, photos and taped interviews.

Public Programming:

Occasional public lectures, events, and other projects, including creating historical plaques, the preservation of a one room school house, the renovation of a railway station, and upkeep of a cemetery.

Silverman Heritage Museum

Conservation/Preservation:

Artefacts

Artefacts include,

  • tzedakah boxes
  • domestic objects
  • photographs
  • prayer books
  • documents pertaining to Jewish heritage, particularly related to life in eastern Europe in nineteenth century and early twentieth century;
  • memorabilia related to the history of Baycrest Centre

Public Programming:

Exhibitions

Temporary exhibitions, usually pertaining to Jewish history and culture. Recent exhibitions include,

  • “Herzl Exhibit at the Museum,” which displays items associated with Herzi, a visionary of the modern Jewish state and founder of political Zionism
  • “Terraces in Bloom at the Water Cooler,” which displays cultural art pieces

Swansea Historical Society

Conservation / Preservation:

Archives

The archives includes photographs and memorabilia of the Toronto’s Swansea area.

Public Programming:

Tours

This society offers an annual tour of the Swansea area in June.

Tollkeeper’s Cottage

Conservation / Preservation:

Architecture

The cottage itself is Ontario’s oldest-known example of the rare “vertical plank construction.” Only a handful of extant structures in Ontario were built in this unique style.

Environment

The cottage grounds have been planted with species indegenous to the area or with plants and flowers the pioneers would have brought with them in the nineteenth century.

Public Programming:

Exhibitions

  • The cottage is decorated with many furnishings unique to the mid nineteenth century.
  • Docents in period dress describe the road system and life of ordinary Torontonians of the 19th century,

Educational Programming

  • School groups can arrange visits to the cottage.
  • Evening lectures.
  • Workshops on knitting, rug braiding, and other heritage skills.

Other

  • Check the website for special events such as Strawberry Socials and Victoria Day Tea.

Great War Flying Museum

Conservation / Preservation:

Artefacts

Re-created World War One airfield flight hut, such as those in France or England. The flight hut operates as the museum and contains various artefacts relevant to World War One aviation such as,

  • discarded flight jackets, uniforms, flags
  • plane instruments and equipment
  • machine guns
  • model planes, diorama of a Zeppelin raid over England and also of a trench warfare featuring land-fighting vehicles
  • pilot mementos from wives and loved ones
  • prints, photographs, maps and posters
  • display of a typical Royal Flying Corp work hanger

Public Programming:

Online Programming

A database can be accessed on the museum’s main website containing digital pictures, historic photographs and descriptions of both World War One aircraft and ace pilots.

La Société d’histoire de Toronto

Public Programming:

Tours

Excursions along the Humber River are offered which highlight the history of Toronto’s settlement and past, including the village of Seneca and Tiegiaon, stores and French forts. Other excursions go to Cabbagetown, Yorkville, Rosedale, Bâby Point, Danforth and other areas in Toronto.

Online

A chronology of the French presence in Toronto organized in a timeline from 1615 to the present. Also a digital copy of the book The Origin of Toronto, which includes the history of the Humber River in Toronto. Also the genealogy of the Giguère and Pilotte families.

Special Events

Check website for conferences and other events.

North Toronto Historical Society

Conservation / Preservation:

Artefacts

This society has a collection of photographs and slides which depict North Toronto.

Oral Recordings

Oral recordings have been made of early residents.

Public Programming:

Tours

At least one walking tour occurs per year.

Educational Programming

Meetings are open to the public and are held by the Northern District Library. The meetings revolve around various topics pertaining to North Toronto and beyond. Members also conduct research on the local area and families who lived in the area.

Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art

Conservation / Preservation:

Collections

A permanent collection is composed of over 400 works of art by more than 150 Canadian artists.

Public Programming:

Online Programming

Provides videos of exhibition highlights, as well as recording of past performances.

Exhibitions

Pertain to a wide range of cultural themes.

Tours

Guided tours are offered to view the museum’s collections and exhibitions.