The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, C.C., C.C.C., C.D., and Mr. John Ralston Saul, C.C.

THA’s Annual General Meeting will be held early in May 2008. Dorothy Duncan has agreed to be our keynote speaker. More information in the next newsletter.

FROM THE GRAPEVINE

One a sad note, the Bata Building is currently being demolished

The New Fort Site, at the CNE, is being strongly threatened by a 300 room Boutique hotel.
We are on a vigil as the archaeological site and early past is in danger.

Another sad announcement is that the Huguenot Society of Canada has ceased to operate as of Dec. 31, 2007.

A good piece of news is that Rogers Cable has been showing in their STRUCTURE Show a documentary on New Toronto. Most of the following dates have past; i.e Jan 7 at 8pm and 11pm, Jan. 10th at 10pm and Jan. 13 at 9:30. The New Toronto Historical Society have also new photos of New Toronto from circa 1910 that you may see at http://www.newtorontohistorical.com/history%20of%20new%20toronto.htm Scroll down to view the new pictures, donated by Ridley’s Funeral Home.

The 30 year old Toronto Reference Library has begun a $30million renovation, The first phase of the revitalization is the construction of a space for large scale programs, conferences and community events. The building’s original architects, Moriyama and Teshima, are responsible for the redesign. The project is expected to be complete within five years and the library will remain open during construction.

Heritage Etobicoke is very pleased to report that sales of “Etobicoke Remembered” are going extremely well. This book, written by Robert A. Given, Etobicoke’s number one historian, covers Etobicoke’s history from 25,000 years ago to the present day. Including the development of key neighbourhoods in the community. Published with the financial support of the Etobicoke Historical Society, together with Foundation, the book is available for $45.00 at Montgomery’s Inn and also the James Shaver Woodsworth Homestead in Etobicoke.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wed. Jan. 16 – The Photographic Historical Society of Canada is having as their guest speaker, Rafael Goldchain who is Program Coordinator of the Applied Photography Program at Sheridan Institute of Technology. He will speak on Recent Shifts in Photographic Education. The meeting is being held in the Gold Room, basement, North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge St. Visit www.phsc.ca for details
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Sunday, Jan. 20th from 2pm to 4;00 at Gibson House, 5172 Yonge St.. The York Pioneers & Historical Society will be holding their AGM and having a talk by author/historian Dorothy Duncan and a tour of Gibson house.

Tuesday, Jan. 22nd at 6:30 at the Riverdale Public Library, The Riverdale Historical Society will have Jeff Powis, a local photographer, give an illustrated presentation – Traveling and Filming Worldwide with Edward Burtynski (of Manufactured Landscape fame). Riverdale Public Library is on the Northwest corner of Broadview and Gerrard. Free to members, $4. for nonmembers.

Friday, Jan. 25 at 7pm – The Canadian Celtic Arts Assoc will be celebrating the life and poetry of Robbie Burns at the Charbonnel Lounge, Elmsley Hall, St. Michael’s College, 81 St Mary St. Dinner is by pre-paid reservation only. $25. Please contact Jean Talman 416-926-7145 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Fri. Feb. 8 from 7 to 9:30pm at Mackenzie House, 82 Bond St. a Scotch and Beer Tasting Event - Enjoy the aromas and flavour of scotch and beers and enjoy a buffet of savory Scottish fare. Pre-registration & pre-payment required $50 plus GST. Call 416-392-6915 for further information.

Sat. Feb. 9 from 11am t0 5pm at Downsview Park – From the Artic to the hockey rink, Downsview Park’s Love Winter is everything a hockey lover could ever want in one spot – free of charge. Get close to the action with our 4th Annual 3-on-3 Street Hockey tournament, the largest street hockey game in the GTA with over 120 teams from across Ontario. Meet and greet NHL Alumni in open autograph sessions, great food and live music and don’t miss the special exhibit of Hockey hall of Fame memorabilia on display for one-day only Downview Park’s Love Winter is free and open to the public, teams must register in advance. For more info call 416-954-0544 or visit www.pdp.ca

Enoch Turner Schoolhouse will be have a four week on Toronto’s past by four respected authors. Each lecture begins at 7:30 with light refreshments from 7:00 to 7:30, Admission $10 a lecture or $35 for the series of 4. Pre-registration is requested, 416-863-0010 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Wed. Feb. 6 – “Over the Don” by Ron Fletcher. This talk will capture the stories of many of the people who lived on the Don’s banks when the river had a profound effect on their daily existence.

 

Wed. Feb. 13 – “Creating the Urban: Toronto 1793 – 1914 by Carl Benn. He explores the main events that saw the Toronto area evolve from a backwoods settlement on the 1790s Upper Canada frontier to a modern urban place within the Dominion of Canada on the eve of the Great War.

 

Wed. Feb 20th – “Inside Toronto: urban Interiors 1880 to 1920s” by Sally Gibson. This illustrated talk is based on Sally’s book which won the 2007 Heritage Toronto Award for Excellence and was short-listed for 2007 City of Toronto Book Award. The talk includes intriguing photographs of interiors of early public and private buildings.

 

Wed. Feb 27 – “The Great Adventure: 100 years of the Arts and Letters Club” by Margaret McBurney. In 2008 the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto will celebrate the first 100 years. Margaret discusses this unique institution that has attracted men and women who have been integral to the creation of English Canadian culture – the Group of Seven, Vincent Massey, Marshall McLuhen and Mavor Moore, to name only a few.

Sunday, Feb 10, 1 to 3pm – Victorian Valentine Treats at Todmorden Mill Heritage Museum, bottom of Pottery Road, east of Bayview. Discover the world of Victorian sweets, suitable for your Valentine. Prepare period confections in the historical kitchen that will tempt any sweet tooth. Pre-registration required $14.15 plus GST per person, 416-396-2819

Thurs. Feb. 14 from 1 to 4:30 – A Valentine Day’s Tea at Montgomery’s Inn at 4709 Dundas St. West -Enjoy a cup of tea by the fireplace. call 416-394-8113 for menu and prices.



If you have something you would like in THA’s newsletter or a special event, please get it to the editor before the 12th of the previous month of the event. FAX 416-967-9728 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or give me a call at 416-967-6432