Type: Museum
This museum showcases the household of a wealthy Toronto family in the 1920s and 1930s, in a house and gardens dating back to the mid nineteenth century.
Programming:
Public Programming:
Exhibitions
- Originally built in 1866 on the foundation of an early Baldwin family house, the estate was enlarged and remodeled by Albert Austin between 1898 and 1913, reflecting the changing times and tastes of the Austin family over three generations.
- The historic house illustrates the evolution of styles from mid-Victorian to 1930s Colonial Revival and includes items from both the Arts and Crafts and Aesthetic Movements, as well as items in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles.
- The rooms contain furniture purchased by the family, much of it made in Toronto. The influence of new technologies such as gas lighting, central heating, electricity and the telephone can be seen here.
- The life of the domestic staff is represented in the working kitchen and pantries and third floor accommodations. The most visible reminders of the former Baldwin house are the previous front door, sidelights and fanlight, which now form the back entrance.
Tours
- Meet the Austins: A Toronto Family Between the Wars
Education
Spadina Museum offers a range of elementary, secondary and post-secondary education programs.
Children’s programs include March Break and Summer camps, and birthday parties.
Adult hands-on workshops on a variety of topics are scheduled throughout the year.
Events
The museum offers a range of special events throughout the year including Mother’s Day, Doors Open (last weekend of May), Gatsby Garden Party in June, City Cider in September, and seasonal programming in November/December including the Ongoing Adventures of Flashman, a live radio play.
Other
The 6 acre Spadina Museum site includes lawns, orchards, restored garden beds and many large heritage trees. The grounds are open free of charge to the public when staff are on site.
Volunteer/Internship/Placement Opportunities:
Spadina Museum annually recruits volunteer docents and special event volunteers in March. High School students may volunteer for Summer Camp. Post-secondary archives/library students can volunteer with the ongoing documents cataloguing project.
Address & Contact Information:
285 Spadina Rd.
Toronto, ON
M5R 2V5
Phone: 416. 392. 6910
Email: spadina@toronto.ca
Website: www.toronto.ca/spadina
Hours of Operation:
Please note: Group bookings are accepted 7 days a week; morning,afternoon, and evening, year-round.
Weekends and Holiday Mondays: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Weekdays: Vary by season, check website
Key Words: architecture, household