TORONTO HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

MARCH 2009 NEWSLETTER # 3

PATRONS

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

During the Showcase, Tony had a friendly chat with Paul Maka from Preservation Services. They discussed Designation Districts and the lack of Preservation staff. We both agreed that more co-ordination and consultation is in order. More about this later.

There was disappointment at the lack of visitor attendance. Anyone that has any suggestions to augment the numbers, please contact Molly Sutherland at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tony Stapells, President.

URGENT - TOP PRIORITY

The entire Provincial heritage community is strongly urged to contact their own MPP and ask him/her to support Bill 149 and act to protect Ontario’s inactive cemeteries. The Bill was given first reading in the legislature on the 19th of February, and the second reading is to come in March. This Private Member’s Bill has been introduced by Jim Brownell, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, and because it is a Private Member’s Bill, it must have the full support of all MPPs in order to protect the more than 4000 inactive cemeteries in Ontario.

PETITION

A petition must be addressed to either the Parliamentary Legislature or the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and must be written/type-written on letter size paper with the text of the petition appearing at the top of every page. For further information, please call the Ontario Historical Society at 416-226-9011; the Ontario Genealogical Society at 416-489-0734; also Dorothy Duncan or Marjorie Stuart.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wednesday March 4 at 7:30 – The Swansea Historical Society and the West Toronto Junction Historical Society will be presenting the “Boom Times Cabaret” performed by the Legends of the Junction in the Swansea Town Hall, 95 Lavinia Avenue. Light Refreshments and Visitors Wecome.

Friday, March 6th. Noon to 9pm – Celebrate 175 years of Toronto’s Heritage, unity and diversity at Toronto’s City Hall. On the square will be vintage vehicles, performances, a period re-enactment by the Queen’s Own rifles and an evening skating party.

Inside City Hall, Archival photographs, street art and more- The launch of the City’s Commemorative Book, “ Toronto’s Visual Legacy: Official City Photography from 1856 to the Present.” A new media exhibit, “360-Extended”. Kickoff of Lit City “Where Toronto stories meet Toronto settings”. A theatrical presentation called “The William Lyon Mackenzie project” by R.H.Thomson and the final performance of “I Love Toronto” celebrating the City’s diversity.

Also – The City introduces “My City”. To be part of the my City Campaign send in your photos, e-mails or text messages that tell us what My City means to you.

City of Toronto Museums and the Market Gallery celebrate with Free admission and special programming on the March 6 to 8 weekend.

Friday March 6 at 7:30pm at St. Lawrence Hall, 159 King Street East. The Town of York Historical Society is holding a fundraiser to celebrate the 175th Bithday of the Incorporation of the City of Toronto, March 6. 1834. – An Evening of song, dance and stories of Old Toronto with Historian Bruce Bell, Historian Richard Fiennes-Clinton, Fort York Regency Dancers, Soprano Aleksandra Balaburska & Accompanist Irene Wong-Montgomery. Also served: 175 years of cake through the ages. Tickets $25 available at Toronto’s First Post Office, 260 Adelaide St. East (416-865-1833) and at the door.

Wednesday, March 11 at 7:30 – The North York Historical Society will be holding a meeting at the Willowdale United Church, Friendship Room, 349 Kenneth Avenue and their speaker will be Jane Pitfield, editor and author, past City of Toronto Councillor. She will be speaking on Leaside: The jewel of a planned residential and industrial town west of of the Don Valley.

Wednesday, March 18th at 7:30 – The Toronto Chapter Archaeological Society will be holding a meeting in room 246, 19 Russell Street, University of Toronto with Dena Doroszenko from the Ontario Heritage Trust as their speaker.

Thursday, March 26th at 7:30 – At their monthly meeting, the Etobicoke Historical Society will be having as their speaker Ron Brown who will speak on his book “The Train Doesn’t Stop Here Anymore”. This talk, with accompanying slides, will revisit a time when railways were Canada’s economic lifeline and each community’s social centre. Location: Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas St. West at Islington Av. Free admission & all are welcome.

Saturday, March 28th from 3-5pm – The Cabbagetown-Regent Park Museum Fundraiser will have Karolyn Smartz Frost present her lecture entitled “ Cabbagetown as the Promised Land?” The Story of Thornton and Lucie Blackburn. The event will take place in the comfort of a genuine Heritage Home, the Lamb House, part of which dates from the 1830s, located at 156 Winchester Street. After the lecture there will be an opportunity to meet the author and refreshments will be served. Ticket are $50 (with a $30 charitable receipt.) Cheques can be made out to the Cabbagetown-Regent Park Museum Inc, and mailed to 156 Winchester St, M4X 1B6. Seating is limited so reserve early.

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

P.O. Box 67, Toronto’s First Post Office, 260 Adelaide Street East,

Toronto M5A 1N1

Working together, bringing Toronto’s past into the future