Blog Archives

Colborne Lodge

Conservation/Preservation:

Architecture

A rare Regency cottage built in 1837.

Artefacts

Contains many original furnishings, artefacts, and some of Howard’s watercolours of early Toronto.

Public Programming:

Tours and educational programming

A wide variety of workshops, educational programs and community events for all ages on the lives of the Howards and their legacy of High Park.

Seasonal Events

Christmas in the Park (from late November to early January), includes tours and workshops concerning the history of the cottage.

Colborne Lodge Gardens (from early April through summer); focuses on recreated gardens surrounding the cottage.

Canadian Automotive Museum

Conservation/Preservation:

Archives

Extensive collection of Canadian automotive reference materials including periodicals, books, advertisements, manuals, and sales literature.

Artefacts

Artefacts include:

  • Over 75 vehicles dating from 1903, including motorcycles, trucks and cars. The museum highlights  Canadian manufacturers such as McLaughlin-Buick, Brooks, Redpath, Tudhope, McKay, Galt, Gray-Dort, Brockville, as well as foreign automakers including Rolls-Royce, Bugatti, Alfa-Romeo, and Bentley.

Campbell House Museum and Historical Foundation

Conservation/Preservation:

Campbell House is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value. The Sir William Campbell Foundation maintains the 1822 building and collects, preserves, and displays artefacts from the early 19th century, befitting the home of Chief Justice William Campbell.

Architecture

This early nineteenth century house is designed with a Georgian platinum architectural style and is one of the oldest remaining buildings from the original Town of York.

Artefacts

Although the original house’s contents were auctioned by William Robinson, Campbell House is furnished with artefacts that are typical of an upper-class nineteenth century home, including:

  • portraits, paintings, pictures, models
  • china, cutlery, pots, cooking fireplace
  • piano from 1801
  • bed, bath, dressers, cabinets, dining table, chairs

Public Programming:

Exhibitions

  • On the second floor of Campbell House there is a diorama of the York township in 1825. The diorama displays the neighbourhood of Campbell House’s original location. In addition, there is a blown up map of the township above the diorama, as well as photographs of Campbell House being moved to its present location.
  • Beside the York township diorama, there is also a diorama of Sir William Campbell acting as a judge in the renowned legal dispute between Sir William Lyon Mackenzie vs. Samuel Peters Jarvis.
  • A room for various rotating exhibits is located in the ballroom. Exhibits do not necessarily have historical themes.

Educational Programming

  • Culinary classes are offered through George Brown Culinary School and through Campbell House. Classes teach participants historic recipes and use historic cooking methods.
  • A Museum Training Program is offered for 13 to 17 year olds. Activities include crafts, cooking and learning history.

Other

  • Plays are occasionally held in the house and move room to room.
  • The Types Trial: re-enactment of famous trial where William Lyon Mackenzie took the Family Compact to court-for secondary students specifically.
  • Dancing: Traditional Scottish Dancing accompanied by fife music.

Tours

Tours are guided, upon payment of an admission fee or occasionally by “pay what you can.”

Beth Tzedec Reuben and Helene Dennis Museum

Conservation/Preservation:

Library

The Max and Beatrice Wolfe Library and Resource Centre houses a full range of materials in all formats-print and non-print – for the purpose of research, education and leisure reading.

Artefacts

The Roth Collection includes more than a thousand ceremonial objects, including:

  • Silver Torah ornaments, exceptional ketubbot from around the world, rare Esther scrolls, Chanukah lamps.
  • Unique life-cycle objects such as the distinctive Berlin double-seated circumcision chair.
  • Items for the Sabbath, Rosh Ha Shanah, Passover, and the festival of Sukkot.

Public Programming:

Special Exhibitions

Past exhibitions include various photographic and art centered exhibitions focusing on Jewish culture and history in Canada and abroad. For example, Jewish Life and Culture in Norway: Wergeland’s Legacy (2004/5); A Common Thread: A History of Toronto’s Garment Industry (2003/4).

Tours

Tours may be arranged by appointment.

Anglican Church of Canada, General Synod Archives

Conservation/Preservation:

Archives

  • Holds records concerning its committees, councils, boards and commissions (includes the official papers of the Primate, the General Secretary and all other officers and employees of the General Synod).
  • A repository for records created by organizations and individuals affiliated with the Anglican Church of Canada and who are of historical significance to the national Church.
  • Records of the Diocese of the Arctic and the Diocese of Keewatin.

48th Highlanders Museum

Conservation/Preservation:

Archives

Provides records of the 48th Highlanders of Canada and its members, however, detailed Military Service Records are located at the National Archives of Canada. Research and research guidance is provided for free for descendants and family members of the 48th Highlanders who have served.

Artefacts

The history of the 48th Highlanders of Canada is shown through uniforms and accoutrements. A large photo collection expands on the battalion history. The museum also provides the stories of individual soldiers through artefacts.

  • Distinguished Regimental Individuals
  • Early Regiment 1891-1914
  • Africa 1899-1902
  • World War One 1914-1918
  • World War Two 1939-1945
  • Service in Afghanistan
  • Service in Canada
  • Regimental Sports
  • NATO Service
  • Regimental Bands
  • Cadet Corps
  • Medal Collections
  • Headdresses
  • Arts and Literature
  • Padres of the Regiment
  • WW1 Trench Art
  • Gas Warfare
  • Military Food

Ontario Black History Society

Conservation/Preservation:

Archives

  • OBHS Book Collection
  • Mary Ann Shadd Collection
  • Leonard Braithwaite Collection
  • Oral History and Video Cassette Collection
  • Collection of Newspaper clippings on historical and contemporary personalities.

The Society has extensive slide, print and negative collection for use by researchers, students, educators, businesses, community organizations, and the general public.
Research time must be booked in advance. Due to limited space at the office, researchers must call (416) 867-9420 to confirm availability of space.
A research fee of $7 for the first hour and $3 for each additional hour is charged to non-members.

Library

A reference library including biographies, news items, and special collections on historical and contemporary personalities.

Public Programming:

Exhibitions

The Ontario Black History Society is able to provide Black history presentations in schools and other places during February and all year. Exhibits cover the contributions made by African descendants during a 400-year period in Canada. The following exhibits are available for rent:

  • A 3-panel mounted exhibit, 4×3 panels entitled Ontario Black Heritage (22 – 4 x 3″, 66 running feet panels).
  • The McCurdy Exhibit (22 – 4 x 3″, 66 running feet panels).
  • 4 x 3 – 6 Panel entitled Black History in Ontario (free standing).
  • A 3-panel Ontario Black History table top exhibit.

Educational Programming

  • A school information kit (teachers guide for classroom).
  • Books on contemporary Afro-Canadian writers.
  • Audio-visual presentations for schools, businesses and community groups.

Tours

The society offers bus tours entitled: “Discover Black History in Toronto” to explore areas of Toronto where people of African descent lived, worked, and made significant contributions to the City of Toronto, the Province of Ontario, and Canada. Guides are provided, but groups must provide their own buses.

One-Hour Tour: Covers general Black history, politics, industry and inventions. Passengers disembark once. Cost: $150.00.

Two-Hour Tour: Covers all the areas of the one-hour tour, as well as community, organizations, church life, current businesses, and contemporary personalities. Passengers may disembark twice. Cost: $175.00.

Three-Hour Tour: Expands on the two-hour tour. Passengers may disembark from the bus at four sites for approximately 15 minutes each time. Some Toronto City attractions are included. Cost: $200.00.

Customized tours can also be arranged. There are also one hour walking tours of Black historical sites in Toronto. Tours are available all year round.

Special Events

Since 1978, the society has spearheaded the celebration of Black History Month in February.

Publications

A quarterly newsletter.

Heritage Toronto

Public Programming:

Exhibitions

The organization curates an annual photography exhibition. This years theme is Building Stories 2012: A Photo Exhibit of Transportation in Toronto. Past exhibits include Building Stories 2011: A Photo of Toronto’s Industrial Past and Building Stories 2010: A Photo Exhibit of Toronto’s Aging Spaces.

Historical Plaques

For nearly half a century, the Historical Plaques program has commemorated key people, places, and events in Toronto’s past. The program encourages Torontonians to apply for plaques and find funding support within their communities to make them happen. Heritage Toronto provides expertise in historical research and writing, plaque design and fabrication, and installation of plaques on buildings and in public spaces.

Plaques fall into three broad categories:

  • Century House enamel plaques with street address numbers. These celebrate any house that has been part of the architectural landscape of Toronto for over a century.
  • Official bronze recognition plaques for structures listed or designated on the City of Toronto’s Heritage Register.
  • Commemorative and interpretive enamel panels, complete with maps and images that highlight people, places and events significant to the history of Toronto.

Tours

The Tours program was introduced in 1994 to provide residents and visitors with an opportunity to learn about the heritage and architecture of the city. All tours are researched, designed, and led by local historians, community groups, and professionals who volunteer their time and energy. The Tours season runs from April to October each year.

Digital

  • Heritage Map of Toronto: a google map highlighting archaeological sites, museums, plaques and heritage walks: http://www.heritagetoronto.org/discover-toronto/map
  • iTours: audio downloadable self-directed tours: http://www.heritagetoronto.org/discover-toronto/itours

Heritage Toronto Awards

An important event on the city’s cultural calendar, the Heritage Toronto Awards celebrate outstanding city builders and their contributions to the promotion and preservation of Toronto’s heritage in five main categories:

  • Community Heritage
  • Media
  • Book
  • Short Publication
  • William Greer Architectural Conservation & Craftsmanship

The nominees for the Community Heritage Award are also considered for the Members Choice Award. A Special Achievement Award is also announced, with the recipient named by the Heritage Toronto Board of Directors.

Other

  • Annual Heritage Toronto Awards,
  • William Kilbourn Memorial Lecture.
  • Comprehensive list of history-related organisations and locations in the city.
  • A program of heritage plaques and markers ,

Country Heritage Park

Conservation/Preservation:

Artefacts

Collection contains 20,000 artifacts including antique tractors, steam engines, farm equipment, heritage buildings and other items relating to rural life.

Public Programming:

Exhibitions

Home to 30 exhibits including buildings, displays and interactive learning.

Tours

Tours are offered to middle-school aged children and are experiential in nature with historical interpretation and activity by costumed staff to recreate the time period.

HVACR Heritage Centre Canada

Conservation / Preservation:

Archives / Library

Paper records include HVAC related catologues and magazines.

Artefacts

Holdings include over 350 heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration parts from the 1920s to the 1960s. The website lists the archival and artifact holdings.

Public Programming:

Digital

Website also includes an on-line exhibition on the effects of refrigeration entitled Chilling Out.