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
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.
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.
An online archive displays advertising material from the 1940s to the 1990s.
Public Programming:
Publications
- Photographic Canadiana: Published four times a year, this journal provides information and insights on all aspects of photographic history with a Canadian emphasis. Many writers have personal experience in the photographic industry. Articles have been published on cameras, photographers, manufacturers, old processes, stereo, images, restoration techniques and books.
- Monthly online newsletter.
Special Events
Photographica-Fair each spring at the Soccer Centre, 7601 Martin Grove Road, Northwest of Downtown Toronto (Woodbridge). Members and the general public come to buy, sell, and swap old photographic equipment, images, and books.
public Lectures
Monthly meetings at 7:00 pm every third Wednesday (except July and August) in the North York Central Library, Memorial Hall (Gold Room), 5120 Yonge at Park Home, North York, Ontario. The eclectic program of guest speakers covers topics of interest to photo historians as well as camera and image collectors.
Other
Awards program to encourage research into the history of photography and publication of the findings:
- Annual Research Award is an annual award of $500 for the best essay or monograph by a student on any aspect of Canadian photographic history. The runner-up award is $250.
- Research Grant is a $500 grant to be awarded annually to a current member of the PHSC for original research into Canada’s photographic history.
- Publication Grant is a grant of up to $1,000 to a member of the PHSC to aid in the publication of original research into Canada’s photographic history in book or monograph form.
Conservation/Preservation:
Archives
Film footage and radio programs covering a span of more than 60 years, electronic records, prints and drawings, films and videos, photographs, sound recordings.
Artefacts
More than 4,000 artefacts.
Public Programming:
Exhibitions
- Growing Up with the CBC, contains artefacts from CBC television shows such as, Mister Rogers, Mr. Dress-up and the Friendly Giant. Items include puppets, logos and stage props. Televisions displaying footage from some of these shows is also built into wall displays.
- The Development of the CBC,composed of artefacts used for CBC programming such as cameras and microphones. The exhibit also has a large collection of sound props including,
- Shoes, phones, pots, bottles, plates, typewriters, buzzers, hinges, light switches, door knocker, horns, bells
- Jail door, wind machine, car door, drum, glass crasher, chain wheel, laugh machine, vinyl machine
- Graham Spry Theatre, a small 40-seat venue with a large screen. It displays a loop of selected classic CBC television shows. Shows rotate on a monthly basis. Past selections have included episodes from such series as Peppiatt & Aylesworth, The Tommy Hunter Show, The Frantics, 4 on the Floor, and The Kids in the Hall. The theatre also plays current CBC programming, such as CBC news.
Educational Programming
Activity sheets for teachers and their students are available.
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.
Conservation/Preservation:
Archives/Library
Collections include:
- Industrial and domestic objects,
- Over 200 taped interviews with Canadian designers, engineers, and architects,
- Design and ephemera,
- Books and periodicals,
- Photographs and documents related to corporate histories.
- The Andy Smith Collection includes architectural photographs from 1965 to 1990. Dieter Reppin Collection includes history and output of Art Associates and TDF.
Artefacts
Furniture, objects and industrial design.
Public Programming:
Exhibitions
Photographs and summaries of past exhibitions are located on the website. Toronto Subway: A Love Story, Honest Edwardianism Hand Painted Signs in the 21st Century, Alumni Hall of Fame, Vinyl Graphic
Conservation/Preservation:
Archives/Library
Holdings include documents and textual records as well as a small collection of publications related to design.
Artefacts
Collection includes over 1000 pieces of Canadian design spanning over six decades.
Public Programming:
Exhibitions
Exhibitions are rotating, often focused on contemporary Canadian design. Past exhibits include: Stephen Burks Man Made Toronto, Designers in the Classroom, RGD Spacial Graphics and Capacity – an exploration of women in design.
Tours
Tours focus on the architectural history of the financial district from 1900s to present day.
Digital
Five on-line exhibits display photographs of artifacts from the permanent collection: http://www.dx.org/index.cfm?id=14613
- Electronics,
- Furniture,
- House wares,
- Lighting,
- Textiles.
Other
Lectures, workshops, and film screenings.
Conservation/Preservation:
Artefacts
- Collection of vaudeville scenery,
- Original Simplex Silent Film Projector
- A period dressing room containing objects from the early 20th century
Public Programming:
Tours
Interpretive tours are offered year-round to the public, recounting the history and renovation of the site, showcasing the original and new lobbies, the Elgin Theatre and the Winter Garden Theatre. Visit website for dates and times.
