Next year, 2009, is the 175th Anniversary of the Inauguration of Toronto - March 6, 1834.

That is when the Town of York became the City of Toronto. Let’s celebrate!

Any ideas? Let us know.
Tony Stapells, Phone and FAX 416-461-6834

March 28 - April 6 - Toronto Culture and the City's Historic Museums are proud to announce the sixth instalment of Fabled City, a special segment of the 30th Annual Toronto Festival of Storytelling. The larger Festival runs March 28 - April 6, 2008; Fabled City takes place at Toronto's Historic Museums on Saturday and Sunday, March 29 & 30. Spaces are still available. Please see below for details and contact information.
 
March 29 & 30 - Fabled City: 30th Annual Storytelling Festival.  Fabled City storytellers dig deep into Toronto's past to base original tales on factual events, delivered in the historic surroundings of the City of Toronto Museums. These inspiring and enthralling events are held Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30. Visit www.toronto.ca/culture/fabledcity.htm for details on Fabled City, and for information on all aspects of the Festival: www.storytellingtoronto.org

 

Saturday, March 29, 11 am - 12 pm - One Stitch at a Time: Stories from the Spadina Garment District
The Market Gallery (95 Front St. E., Second Floor, in St. Lawrence Market). Free - For more information: 416-392-7604, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Please RSVP as seating is limited.

 

Saturday, March 29, 1:30 - 3 pm - Rallying for Reform, Mackenzie House (82 Bond St.) March 1834: David Gibson, surveyor of highways for the Home District, joins William Lyon Mackenzie as a Reformer in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada. Three years later they were embroiled in the Rebellion of 1837. Sit in with Gibson as he meets with Mackenzie in his downtown Toronto home to debate the issues of the day. All welcome; Scottish refreshments included. Storytellers: Bruce Carmody & Jeffrey Canton
Price: $15 + GST. Pre-registration is required: 416-392-6915, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Saturday, March 29, 4-5:30 pm - The Green Footsteps of Charles Sauriol
Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum & Arts Centre, 67 Pottery Road
Charles Sauriol’s passion for the Don Valley began at an early age. The valley’s natural beauty, as well as the stories of its early settlers contributed to his belif that it should be preserved and protected from development.
Storyteller: Ron Baker
Price: $14.15 + GST: (Price includes refreshments) Pre-registration is required: 416-396-2819, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sunday, March 30, 1-2:30 pm - Streetcar Wars - The Battle for Fort York - Fort York National Historic Site (100 Garrison Rd.) In 1813, Fort York was sacked by the American army. 100 years later it was threatened to be overrun again - this time by a streetcar line to the CNE. Join for a recounting of the battle and intrigue that went from the streets of Toronto, to City Hall, to Queen’s Park and all the way to Parliament Hill. Bring your picnic lunch for before the show and we will provide the dessert.  Soryteller: Chris Cavanagh
Price: Adult $11.32 + GST; Senior $9.43 + GST; Child $7.55 + GST. Pre-registration is required: 416-392-6907 Ext.100, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Sunday, March 30, 2008, 1 - 2:30 pm - John Howard: Founder of the “finest Park in the Dominion”
Colborne Lodge (Colborne Lodge Drive, just north of The Queensway, south end of High Park)
John Howard’s strong belief in the redemptive powers of nature not only influenced his decision to deed High Park, his unspoiled country property to the City, but also the design of his architecture, including the famous Provincial Lunatic Asylum. Join him in 1884, 81 years old and widowed for 7 years as he contemplates his legacy to the citizens of Toronto. Your visit includes a tour of his picturesque home, Colborne Lodge, a stroll to the Howards’ Tomb and Lovers’ Lane and suitable refreshments - no strong intoxicating liquor allowed in the park!  Storyteller: Jim Blake  Price: Adult $14.15 + GST; Senior $11.32 + GST; Child $9.43 + GST
Pre-registration is required: 416-392-6916, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
Sunday, March 30, 3:30 to 5 p.m. - Dear Mr. Austin,  Spadina Museum (285 Spadina Rd., next door to Casa Loma).  In a visit to the Metropolitan Methodist Church choir in the early 1920s, the wealthy Albert Austin told the choir members that if they ever needed help with anything to let him know. Lily Hardy, who sang in the choir, contracted TB and did need his help. Storyteller Mary Eileen McClear recounts the struggles of the impoverished Lily Hardy over a 10-year period of correspondence between these unlikely “friends”. Music and refreshments to follow. Storyteller: Mary Eileen McClear  Price: Adult $15 + GST; Senior $12 + GST; Child $10 + GST  Pre-registration required: 416-392-6910, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturday, March 29th, 7 - 9:30 pm – Gibson House, 5172 Yonge St. Dinner and a hearty discussion about March 1850. Finally back in Canada after their exile in the USA, William Lyon Mackenzie and David Gibson piece together what happened after the failure of the 1837 Rebellion. This discussion will continue over a hearty Scots dinner and a glass of hard cider in the kitchen and dining room of the Gibson farmhouse. Adult audience. Pre-registration required at $33 plus GST. 416-395-7432, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturday, April 5 from 1:30 - 3:30 pm - The City of Toronto Archives and the Friends of the Archives of Ontario are presenting a lecture “Researching the Recent Past Modern Architecture and the Archival Record. The speaker will be Andrew Waldron an architectural historian at Parks Canada, specializing in the history of Canadian modernism and its architectural manifestations. Admission free, however you must pre-register at 392-0558 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

More Special Events at Fort York

Saturday, April 19, from 10 am - 1 pm. - Mayor Miller’s Community Cleanup Day

Saturday, April 26 from 1 - 3:30 pm - To mark the 195th anniversary of the Battle of York - a day-long school of instruction for infantry and artillery re-enactors. Only registrants can attend the morning sessions, but in the afternoon the re-enactors will practice, and all are welcome as observers. Regular admission rates apply.

Sunday, April 27 from 2:30 - 4 pm - the launching of Robert Malcomson’s new book, Capital in Flames, describing the events surrounding the attack on York by U.S. forces in April 1813. Learn how the war helped define Canada and about Fort York’s plans to mark the war’s bi-centennial in 2012-14. Free for those who register in advance: 416-392-6907 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Saturday, April 12 at 9:30 am - Etobicoke York Heritage Round Table at Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas St. W. Peggy Mooney, the Executive Director of Heritage Toronto will be exploring opportunities for potential plaque locations and walking tours in the west end. In response to popular requests, Rob Leverty of the Ontario Historical Society will also discuss insurance issues for historical societies. For information: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wednesday, April 16 at 8:00 pm - The Toronto Branch of the UEL will have as their guest Ron Dale, author and War of 1812 Bicentennial Project Manager, speaking on "Rangers in Paradise: the Settlement of Butlers Rangers in Niagara.” He will touch on Loyalists’ service during the American Revolution, clearing the land, participation in the Nassau militia and the legacy they left. These Loyalists included several men of African descent who had been in the ranks of the Rangers. Meetings are held at 40 Scollard St. Suite 300, between Yonge and Bay, 2 blocks north of Bloor. For info 416-489-1783 or http://www.ueltoronto.ca/. Everyone welcome.

A lot is happening in the Lakeshore!

Thursday, April 10, 2008 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm - The New Toronto Historical Society will host a discussion on Heritage Preservation at L.A.M.P. 185 Fifth Street. Guest Speaker: Kathryn Anderson, City of Toronto, Heritage Preservation Services, will lead a discussion on how to preserve, protect and promote local history in our Lakeshore communities. For more information contact:  LAMP at 416-252-9701, ext. 240.

Tuesday, May 20 at 7:00 pm - The New Toronto Historical Society will host a presentation on the History of the Town of West Toronto Junction, by Gib Goodfellow, President of the Society.

Tuesday, June 17 at 7:00 pm - The Society’s Annual General Meeting. The guest speaker will be Sally Gibson, Heritage Consultant, talking about her book “Inside Toronto: Urban Interiors 1880s to 1920s”, the first book to investigate the complex, interior life of a single city - the ordinary and extraordinary places where Torontonians lived, worked, shopped, and performed the rituals of daily life. Interior photographs are rare. Not many were taken; and fewer have survived. Copies of her book will be available for sale at $63 per copy (GST included).

The Society is also excited to be able to post a copy of one of the original land grants in the New Toronto/Mimico area to a Captain William Hooton, kindly donated by one of his descendants.  The update can be viewed on our Early History page at:  http://www.newtorontohistorical.com/Early%20History.htm
 
Also, please be reminded that the New Toronto segment on “Structures” on Rogers Television, Cable 10 may be purchased as follows:  Contact Kerry Whissel of Rogers Cable either by e-mail:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone: (416) 446-6663.  The total cost of each DVD is $36.64 (including tax and shipping).  They accept credit cards, cheques or money orders.