Searching Toronto » Toronto Museums | Art, Science, History Museum Guide

Hockey Hall of Fame

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:24:03 +0000

Hockey Hall of Fame
Brookfield Place
30 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M5E 1X8
(416) 360?7765

The Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) is a museum and hall of fame dedicated to the history of ice hockey. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League (NHL ) records, NHL Trophies and is home of the greatest prize in hockey, the Stanley Cup.

It’s located in the heart of downtown Toronto at the corner of Yonge & Front St. in Brookfield Place (formerly BCE Place) lower concourse level, a short walk from many Toronto attractions, including Air Canada Centre, CN Tower, Rogers Centre and Eaton Centre. The Hockey Hall of Fame is the perfect place for any hockey lover to explore the largest collection of hockey memorabilia in the world.

The Hockey Hall of Fame was first established in 1943 in Kingston, Ontario which is approximately 3 hrs east of Toronto. In 1958 the Hall moved to Toronto, and was given its first permanent location in 1961 at the Exhibition place and finally moved to its current location in 1993.

The Hockey Hall of Fame has 15 exhibit areas covering 57,000 square feet (5,300 m2). In these exhibits are trophies, game worn equipment and other rare hockey memorabilia. The main attraction of the Hall is the Stanley Cup, the trophy handed out to the National Hockey League champions each year. For part of the year, a replica of the Stanley Cup will be displayed while the real presentation trophy travels outside the Hockey Hall of Fame for several charity events.

Hockey Hall of Fame Main Attractions and Exhibits

Verizon Great Hall (Hockey?s Cathedral)

The highlight of any visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame is Verizon Great Hall, the core sanctuary of hockey’s proud history. Inside, double glass walls hold portraits and biographical sketches of each Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

In the centre, flanked by showcases containing the NHL trophies, the greatest collection of silverware in the world of sports, including the Vezina, Hart, and Calder, stands the most famous and coveted of them all the Stanley Cup.

The Montreal Canadiens Dressing Room

The Hockey Hall of Fame’s Montreal Canadiens Dressing Room exhibit is a to-scale replica of the renowned space within the Montreal Forum which was home to 23 Stanley Cup champions between 1924 and its closing in 1996. Player stalls commemorating some of the greatest Habs, including Lafleur, Plante, Beliveau, Dryden and Morenz, encircle the area. Through this tribute, one can appreciate the evolution of equipment from the increasing size of goalie equipment to the decreasing weight of protective gear.

NHLPA Be A Player Zone

Challenge yourself within the impressive NHLPA Be A Player Zone, featuring new versions of the famed Source For Sports Shoot Out and Lay’s Shut Out. These two state-of-the-art interactive games reside on a 2,400 square-foot simulated rink, complete with an overlooking gondola, two fan stands, arena rink boards and a custom multimedia scoreboard.

The Source for Sports Shootout allows you to go one on one using real pucks and sticks versus a life sized computer simulated goalie. Lay Shut Out allows you to grab a glove, stick and blocker and play goal against video images of hockey superstars Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, who fire weighted sponge pucks at speeds up to 70 mph through a number of openings in an 8-by-10-foot video screen.

Hours of Operation

Winter/Spring/Fall

(Excluding Christmas & March Breaks where hours are adjusted)

Monday-Friday: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:30am to 6:00pm
Sunday: 10:30am to 5:00pm

Summer

Monday-Saturday: 9:30am to 6:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am to 6:00pm

Directions to the Hockey Hall of Fame

By Car

From the South or West: Follow the QEW into Toronto, where it turns into the Gardiner Expressway. Take the YORK ST./ BAY ST. exit toward YONGE ST
Take the ramp toward HWY-11/ YONGE/ QUEENS QUAY.
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto HARBOUR ST/ LAKE SHORE BLVD W/ PROVINCIAL ROUTE 2 E.
Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto YONGE ST/ PROVINCIAL ROUTE 11.
Turn LEFT onto FRONT ST W.

From the East: Take Highway 401 into Toronto and exit onto the Don Valley Parkway Southbound. As you approach Downtown, this will turn into the Gardiner Expressway.
Take the YONGE ST./HWY-11 exit toward HWY-11A/BAY ST./YORK ST./TORONTO ISLAND/HARBOURFRONT.
Merge onto LAKE SHORE BLVD E/PROVINCIAL ROUTE 2 W toward HWY-11A/BAY ST./YORK ST./TORONTO ISLAND/HARBOURFRONT.
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto YONGE ST/ PROVINCIAL ROUTE 11.
Turn LEFT onto FRONT ST W.

From the North: Take Highway 400 into Toronto, exiting onto Highway 401 West. Continue until you reach Highway 427 southbound. Follow Highway 427 to downtown via the QEW/Gardiner Expressway.
Take the YORK ST./ BAY ST. exit toward YONGE ST
Take the ramp toward HWY-11/ YONGE/ QUEENS QUAY.
Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto HARBOUR ST/ LAKE SHORE BLVD W/ PROVINCIAL ROUTE 2 E.
Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto YONGE ST/ PROVINCIAL ROUTE 11.
Turn LEFT onto FRONT ST W.

By Public Transit

Take the TTC and transfer onto the Spadina / University or Yonge subway lines, and they will take you to Union Station, or the King subway stop. From either, it’s just a short walk to the Hall.

Map of Hockey Hall of Fame Location

Video of Hockey Hall of Fame

Contact Hall of Fame

Email: info at hhof.com

Infoline (416) 360?7765
Switchboard (416) 360?7735

Donations (416) 933?8226
Education Program (416) 933?8292

Group Reservations (416) 933?8292
Group Sales Toll?free 1?888?501?9770

Outreach Program (exhibit & game rentals) (416) 933?8244
Private Events & Facility Rentals (416) 933?8210
Retail: 1?866?267?1390

Fax: ( 416) 360-1501

Royal Ontario Museum

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:07:13 +0000

Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen?s Park
Toronto, ON M5S 2C6
416-586-8000

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canada’s largest museum of world culture and natural history and the fifth largest museum in North America. It contains more than 6 million items and over 40 galleries. It has notable collections of dinosaurs, Near Eastern and African art, East Asian art, European history, and Canadian history. It contains the world’s largest collection of fossils from the Burgess Shale with more than 150,000 specimens. It has also hosted many travelling exhibits.

The museum was first known as the Museum of Natural History and Fine Arts in 1857. In April 1912 the Royal Ontario Museum was established by an Act of the Ontario Legislature. The ROM first opened its doors to the public on March 19, 1914.

The Royal Ontario Museum adds 67,000 objects each year, making sure it?s audience is always interested. Some of the areas that the ROM is involved with are;

Archeology
Geology
Genealogy
Paleontology
Sociology

These areas are all represented through unique, informative exhibits. One of the most-visited areas of the museum is the Nubia Gallery. In 1998 a new archaeological culture in the Upper Nubia region of Northern Sudan was unearthed, showing the remains of a settlement dating to 1000-800 BC!

The Evolution Gallery is also a popular exhibit with an audiovisual presentation on Darwin?s theories of evolution. The Dinosaur collection draws attention and shouldn?t be missed, while the Gallery of Korean art is the largest permanent gallery devoted to Korean art and culture in North America.

The ROM is located at the corner of Bloor Street and Avenue Road, north of Queen’s Park and on the east side of Philosopher’s Walk in the University of Toronto.

Hours of Operation

Monday to Thursday: 10 am – 5:30 pm
Friday: 10 am – 9:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10 am – 5:30 pm

The Museum is open every day of the week throughout the year including all public holidays, except December 25 (Christmas Day).

Directions and Map of Royal Ontario Museum

By Car

If you are driving on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW), follow the Gardiner Expressway to Spadina Avenue. Proceed north on Spadina Avenue to Bloor Street W. and then turn right (east). Proceed east on Bloor until you reach Avenue Road / Queen’s Park. The Museum is on the southwest corner of Bloor Street W. and Queen’s Park.

From Highway 401, take Avenue Road south to Bloor Street W. or take the Don Valley Parkway south to the Bloor Street W. ramp and proceed west along Bloor Street to Avenue Road/Queen’s Park.

By Public Transit

The St. George stop on the Bloor-Danforth (green) subway line is closest to the ROM?s main entrance on Bloor Street W. The President’s Choice School Entrance is located at the Museum stop on the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line.

The closest fully accessible stop is also St. George. Elevators are available to street level at the Bloor St. and Bedford Rd. entrance. The Museum stop is not accessible to wheelchairs.

Visitors can also take the Avenue Road Bus #5 south from the Eglinton subway station. The 142 routes use accessible buses and runs north and south with stops at Queen?s Park in front of the Weston Wing.

For more information on public transportation call the Toronto Transit Commission TTC at 416.393.4636

Map of Royal Ontario Museum Location

Video of Royal Ontario Museum

Contact the Royal Ontario Museum

Email: ROM Contact Form

Visitor Services, Switchboard: 416.586.8000
24 hr recorded information in English and French: 416.586.8000

Switchboard: Hours of Operation
Daily: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Bell Relay Service (for people who are deaf, deafened and hard of hearing): 711

Art Gallery of Ontario

admin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:00:43 +0000

Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas Street West
Toronto Ontario M5T 1G4
1-877-225-4246
416 979 6648

Founded in 1900 by a group of private citizens as the Art Museum of Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America, with a physical facility of 583,000 square feet. The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) expanded it facility in 2008 with an innovative architectural design by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry.

The Art Gallery of Ontario contains more than 5,000 works in 110 galleries. The layout of the Art Gallery is open and easy to navigate. The extensive use of glass allows for stunning views of the city from every direction.

AGO Art Collections

The Art Gallery of Ontario holds more than 79,000 works in its collection, which spans from 100 A.D. to present day.

The Canadian Collection

This collection documents the development of the Canada’s art heritage since pre-Confederation, including one of the largest and finest Inuit art collections in the world. The collection includes pivotal works by Cornelius Krieghoff, Lucius O’Brien, James Wilson Morrice, Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, David Milne, Emily Carr, Paul-Emile Borduas, Joyce Wieland, and Kenojuak Ashevak.

European Art

Masterpieces of European art include works by renowned artists such as Anthony van Dyck, Thomas Gainsborough, Auguste Rodin, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and René Magritte.

Contemporary Art

The Art Gallery of Ontario maintains a comprehensive collection of Contemporary art spanning from 1960 to the present, reflecting global developments in artistic practice across all media, including painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, projection art, and installation art. This collection includes art from both Canadian and International artists.

Photography Collection

A collection of more than 40,000 photographs represents the emergence of the medium in all its artistic, cultural and social diversity.

The Thomson Collection

The Thomson Collection at the AGO includes a broad range of works, from European to Canadian art, ship models and decorative arts.

Directions and Map to the Art Gallery of Ontario

By Driving

From QEW: Merge onto the Gardiner Expressway. Turn left at the Spadina Ave exit. Continue north and turn right when you reach Dundas St West. You will see the AGO at the corner of Dundas Street and Beverly Street on your right side.

From 401: Take the Avenue Road exit and go south to Dundas Street. Turn right onto Dundas Street West and you will soon see the AGO at the corner of Dundas and McCaul on your left side.

From Airport: follow Highway 427 to Toronto via the QEW/Gardiner Expressway. Turn left at the Spadina Ave exit. Continue north and turn right when you reach Dundas St West. The AGO will be on the right hand side at Beverly Street.

By Subway

The St. Patrick stop on the Yonge-University-Spadina line is the closest stop to the AGO entrance. The closest accessible stop is Queen’s Park (College Street) or Osgoode (Queen Street).

Exit the subway station and walk west on Dundas St W towards Simcoe Street. You will pass the Village by the Grange building on the left. At McCaul Street, you will see the AGO on the left hand side. It is 3 blocks from University or a 5 minute walk to the AGO from St. Patrick station.

By Streetcar

Dundas: If you’re taking the 505 Dundas streetcar from the east, get off at McCaul Street. If you’re arriving from the west, get off at Beverly Street. The streetcar stops are located conveniently right in front of the AGO.

Spadina: If you are arriving on the 510 Spadina streetcar from the north or south, get off at Dundas Street and walk east along Dundas. You will see the AGO on the right hand side when you reach Beverly Street. It is 3 blocks from Spadina or about a 5 minute walk.

Map of the Art Gallery of Ontario?s Location

Art Gallery of Ontario Video

Contact the Art Gallery of Ontario

Email: Contact Form

General Information: 416 979 6648 / 1 877 225 4246 (toll-free)
Administration: 416 979 6660 or 416 977 0414

Art Camp Office: 416 979 6660 ext. 368
Art Rental + Sales: 416 977 4654
Corporate Membership: 416 979 6660 ext. 292
Donations to the AGO: 416 979 6619

Frank Restaurant: 416 979 6688
Gallery Shop: 416 979 6610
Membership Information: 416 979 6620
Photographic Resources: 416 979 6674
Public Programs: 416 979 6608
Resource Centres: 416 979 6642
School Programs: 416 979 6608
Volunteer Services: 416 979 6661

Ontario Science Centre

admin — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:19:01 +0000

Ontario Science Centre
770 Don Mills Road
Toronto, ON M3C 1T3
416-696-1000
1-888-696-1110

The Ontario Science Centre (OSC) is a science museum that has attracted over 40 million visitors since it’s opening in September 1969. The science centre has hundreds of innovative exhibits for you to enjoy such as Communication, Sport, Human Body and The Living Earth to name a few. There are also several fun things to do at the Science Centre. Be sure to check out the hair-raising electrical ball, wall of bubbles and the simulated Rain Forest.

In addition to the in house exhibits the Ontario Science Centre also hosts visiting exhibits that will stay in the museum for limited periods of time.

In 1996, the province’s first OMNIMAX theatre opened at the Science Centre. The addition of the Shoppers Drug Mart OMNIMAX Theatre was a major component of a revitalization project that included the introduction of new permanent exhibits, restaurant and banquet facilities, as well as a new glass-walled public entrance.

Hours of Operation

Science Centre

Open 7 days a week 10 am – 5 pm

Shoppers Drug Mart OMNIMAX Theatre

Monday to Friday 11 am – 4 pm (last ticket at 3 pm)

Saturday 11 am – 6 pm (last ticket at 5 pm)

Sunday 11 am – 5 pm (last ticket at 4 pm)

Theatre is also open at 8:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays for double bill presentation.
All of the above are not available on Dec. 25.

Directions and Map to Ontario Science Centre

By Car

If you?re coming from downtown Toronto, take the Don Valley Parkway north until Don Mills Road north and then follow the signs!

If you?re coming from somewhere else, take Highway 401 or 404 until you reach the Don Valley Parkway south. Continue south until Wynford Drive, then head west and follow the signs!

By Public Transit

From downtown Toronto, take the Yonge Street subway line north to the Eglinton station and transfer to the Eglinton East (route 34) bus. Get off at Don Mills Road.

Or, take the Bloor-Danforth subway line east to the Pape station and transfer to the Don Mills (route 25) bus. Get off at St. Dennis Drive, right in front of the Science Centre.

Map of Ontario Science Centre Location

Video of Ontario Science Centre

Contact the Ontario Science Centre

General Email : webmaster at osc.on.ca
Ticket Sales Email: call.centre at osc.on.ca

General Phone: 416-696-1000
Toll Free: 1-888-696-1110

Book a school visit: 416-696-3140
Corporate partnership: 416-696-3214

Fort York

admin — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:07:26 +0000

Historic Fort York
100 Garrison Road
Toronto, ON M5V 3K9
416-392-6907

Built in 1793, Fort York National Historic Site is the birthplace of urban Toronto. It is best known as the location where the Battle of York came to its violent climax in 1813 during the War of 1812.

The Fort served as the city’s primary harbour defence between the 1790s and the 1880s, and was the home of a military garrison, built by Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe . Fort York was created by Sicmoe due to fears of war with the United States and a naval base was established at Toronto in order to control Lake Ontario.

As another precautionary war tactic, Simcoe also moved the Capital to Toronto rather than the town of Niagara, which he felt had exposed borders. Civilian settlement followed the created of the fort and a community named York began to grow two kilometres east of the fort (York was renamed Toronto in 1834).

In 1812 Simcoe?s worst fears came true when the United States declared war on Canada. On the 27th of April 1813, the U.S. Army and Navy attacked the community of York with 2,700 men on 14 ships and schooners. The defenders put up a strong fight but because of overwhelming odds were forced to fall back to Fort York, eventually abandoning the fort and town to the enemy

Today, Fort York is home to Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings. The Fort is open year round and offers a number of services, including tours, exhibits, period room settings and seasonal demonstrations. During the summer months, the site comes alive with the colour and the pageantry of the Fort York Guard. The Fort also provides a wide variety of education programs for groups of all ages.

Hours of Operation

May 19 ? September 2, 10:00am ? 5:00pm daily
Sept. 4 ? Dec. 16, Weekdays 10:00am ? 4:00pm, Weekends 10:00am ? 5:00pm
Dec. 18 ? Jan. 1, Fort York is closed to the public for the holidays
January 2 ? May 18, Weekdays: 10:00am ? 4:30pm, Weekends: 10:00am ? 5:00pm

Admission Fees

Regular: $8.76
Seniors: $4.00
Youth: $4.00
Children: $3.00
Children 5 and under: FREE
(All prices in Canadian Dollars)

Directions and of Map of Fort York

Location: Fort York is located at 100 Garrison Rd. (Off Fleet St., east of Strachan Avenue, West of Bathurst St., just north of the new Fort York Blvd.)

By Car

From the South or West: Follow the QEW into Toronto, where it turns into the Gardiner Expressway. Exit at Jamieson and continue on Lakeshore Blvd. to Fort York Blvd

From the East: Take Highway 401 into Toronto and exit onto the Don Valley Parkway Southbound. As you approach Downtown, this will turn into the Gardiner Expressway. Exit at the Spadina offramp and keep right for Lakeshore Blvd. to Fort York Blvd.

From the North: Take Highway 400 into Toronto, exiting onto Highway 401 West. Continue until you reach Highway 427 southbound. Follow Highway 427 to downtown via the QEW/Gardiner Expressway. Exit at Jamieson and continue on Lakeshore Blvd. to Fort York Blvd

By Public Transit

Take the 511 streetcar south from Bathurst subway station. There is a foot bridge connecting Bathurst Street to the fort’s eastern gate.

For more on bus route information call the Toronto Transit Commission for details: (416)-393-INFO

Map of Fort York Location

Contact Fort York

Email: fortyork at toronto.ca

Telephone: 416-392-6907
Fax: 416-392-6917

Spadina Museum

admin — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:02:45 +0000

Spadina Museum
285 Spadina Road
Toronto, ON M5R 2V5
416-392-6910

The Spadina Museum, also known as the Spadina House, is an historic manor that is now a museum. The museum preserves the house much as it existed and developed historically.

From a Victorian country estate to a city mansion, Spadina Museum: Historic House & Gardens has housed three generations of the wealthy Toronto Austin family. The art, decor and architecture of the house reflect the contemporary styles of the 1860s through the 1930s. The estate’s gardens reflect both Victorian and Edwardian styles.

In 1866, the property was purchased by businessman and financier James Austin, founder of the Dominion Bank and president of Consumers Gas. He had originally acquired 80 acres (320,000 m2), however he subdivided and sold of the property west of Spadina road, leaving only 20 acres (81,000 m2) of land and the house when he turned over the property to his son in 1892. In the nineteenth and early twentieth century the area was the wealthiest in Toronto, with a number of Toronto’s leading families having large estates in what was known as “Millionaires Row.”

Over the next 90 years, the house would be passed down 2 more generations of the Austin family. The house would change throughout the years with renovations taking place, new additions to the house being added on and a large part of the 20 acre property being sold to the City of Toronto.

The last member of the family to live in the house was Anna Kathleen Thompson, a daughter of Albert Austin, who lived there from 1942 until 1982. The aged house had outdated wiring and needed a thorough overhaul that would have been far more expensive than rebuilding it. While the house could have been sold to private interests such as the Keg Restaurant, the family decided instead to donate the house and all of its furnishings to the city.

In 1984 it opened as a museum, jointly operated by the city and the Ontario Heritage Foundation. The museum is especially known for its gardens. The family still keeps some links with the house and celebrations such as weddings are held there.

Directions and Map to The Spadina Museum

By Car

From the South-West: Take the 401 East to Allen Road (Allen Expressway). Go south on the Allen Expressway to Eglinton Avenue West. Turn left (east) on Eglinton to Spadina. At Spadina, turn right (south, which is the only way you can go.) Continue on Spadina until you reach the Spadina House. It is located right beside Casa Loma.

From the North-East: Take the 401 West to the Don Valley Parkway. Go south on the D.V.P. to Eglinton Avenue East. Go west on Eglinton to Spadina. Turn left (south) on Spadina (which is the only way you can go) Continue on Spadina until you reach the Spadina House. It is located right beside Casa Loma, which is south of St. Clair.

From the South: Take the Queen Elizabeth Way Eastbound into Toronto. Continue along the Q.E.W., (which turns into the Gardiner Expressway) to Spadina. Exit Northbound (which is the only way you can go) on Spadina. Continue north to Davenport Road (Spadina ends at Davenport). Turn left on Davenport, and take your first right (Walmer Road ), continue straight until you see the Spadina House. It is located right beside Casa Loma.

By Public Transit

Yonge / University subway to Dupont subway station, exit station and walk north to the Baldwin Steps at the intersection of Spadina Avenue and Davenport Road. Spadina Museum is located at the top of the Baldwin Steps next door to Casa Loma. For specific TTC route and schedule information call 416-393-4636 (INFO) or visit the TTC website at ttc.ca.

Map of Spadina Museum Location

Contact Spadina Museum

Email: spadina at toronto.ca
Phone: 416-392-6910

MZTV Museum of Television

admin — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 06:24:02 +0000

MZTV Museum of Television
550 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON M5A 1V2
416-599-7339

Map
Prices
Directions
Hours
Email
Website
Print

The MZTV Museum of Television is home to the world?s most comprehensive collection of television receivers and related memorabilia, and offers some 10,000 objects to scholars, students and the general public. Artifacts and interpretive materials trace the evolution of TV, from the scanning discs of the 1920s to large cabinet sets and more.

Some of the items included in this TV memorabilia collection is the first star of television ? Felix the Cat, the 1939 World?s Fair ?Phantom Teleceiver? ? the set that introduced commercial television to North America, a two storey mural that charts the international ?Race for Television?, Marilyn Monroe?s personal 1957 Magnavox and the largest collection of pre-war televisions on display anywhere in the world.

The MZTV Museum of Television is located on Queen Street, just before the DVP in Toronto?s historic Corktown. Guided tours of the museum are available.

Hours of Operation

Guided Tours are available by appointment.

Admission Cost

Adults – $6
Students and Seniors – $4
Group Tours of 10+ – $4
Families – $18

Directions and Map to MZTV Museum

By Car

From South or West: Follow the QEW into Toronto, where it turns into the Gardiner Expressway. Take the Jarvis St exit. Turn left at lower Jarvis St. Continue onto Jarvis St. Turn right into Queen St.

From East: Take Highway 401 into Toronto and exit onto the Don Valley Parkway Southbound. Take the exit Toward Richmond St. Merge into Eastern Ave. Turn Right on Sumach St. Take the first right onto King St. Make a sharp left at Queen St.

By Public Transit

Take the 501 Queen streetcar to River St.

Map of MZTV Museum Location

Contact the MZTV Museum of Television

Email: mztv at mztv.com
Phone: 416 599 7339
Fax: 416 599 3572

Colborne Lodge

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:16:19 +0000

Colborne Lodge
Colborne Lodge Drive
Toronto, ON
416-392-6916

Colborne Lodge was built by City Surveyor John George Howard to house himself and his wife Jemima Frances Meikle back in 1837. The house was built on top of a hill overlooking Lake Ontario. The Lodge was named after Sir John Colborne, Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada. Colborne Lodge was originally one storey, but Howard later expanded it by adding an upper level.

The cottage sat on 165 acres (0.67 km2) of land owned by Howard. His original intent was to start a farm on the property. Later, he attempted to subdivide his holdings and sell off small lots to create a new neighbourhood.

Howard and his wife deeded their 165-acre country property to the City of Toronto in 1873, in exchange for a permanent pension. This deed included an agreement that the park remain ‘for the free use, benefit and enjoyment of the citizens of Toronto and it be called High Park’.

Additional land was purchased by the City in 1876 and 1930, expanding the park to the current 399 acres. John George Howard continued to live in his home until his death in 1890. The Howards are buried in the Howard tomb under a stone monument that is fronted by a portion of fencing from St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, and is set close to Grenadier Pond.

The home is now a museum run by the city. Next to the home are the Colborne Lodge Gardens, which were first created by the Howards.

Hours of Operation

Mid-January, February and April
Friday – Sunday
Noon – 4 p.m.

March
Thursday – Sunday
Noon – 4 p.m.

March Break
Monday ? Sunday
Noon – 4 p.m.

May – the end of August
Tuesday ? Sunday
Noon – 5 p.m.

September
Saturday – Sunday
Noon – 5 p.m.

October- December
Tuesday – Sunday
Noon – 4 p.m.

Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve

Noon – 3 p.m.

Mondays, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday
Closed

Directions and Map to Colborne Lodge

By Car

From the West – Take The Queensway eastbound to Colborne Lodge Drive at the south entrance to High Park, turn north (left). Colborne Lodge is about 200 m up the hill immediately on the right-hand side of the road. Or, you can access the Lodge by going eastbound on Bloor Street West to the north entrance to High Park.

From the East – Take Lake Shore Boulevard West westbound to Colborne Lodge Drive. Turn north (right) and follow roadway into High Park. The Lodge is at the top of the hill on the right-hand side of the road approximately 200 m from the entrance to the park.

By Public Transit

Take the Bloor/Danforth subway line to High Park station and walk south through High Park (approximately 20 minute walk). Or, take the 501 streetcar (Humber/Long Branch) to Colborne Lodge Drive and walk a short distance up the road to the Lodge. For specific TTC route and schedule information call 416-393-4636 (INFO)

Map of Colborne Lodge Location

Contact Colborne Lodge

Email: clodge at toronto.ca
Phone: 416-392-6916

Mackenzie House

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:39:41 +0000

The Mackenzie House
82 Bond Street
Toronto, ON M5B 1X2
416-392-6915

The Mackenzie House was the last home of William Lyon Mackenzie, Toronto?s first ever mayor and the leader of the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion. The house was purchased for the Mackenzie family by political supporters. This Georgian-style house was built in the 1850s and was occupied by the Mackenzie family in 1859. The house was built with a printing press, where Mackenzie used to publish newspapers from.

Mackenzie was forced into exile in the United States after having led the Rebellion of 1837. He returned to the newly-created Province of Canada in 1850 where he then moved into this newly built house. William Lyon Mackenzie died in the 2nd floor bedroom of the house in 1861. He and his wife Isabel had 13 children of which only six survived to adulthood.

The Mackenzie family eventually sold the house and it operated as a boarding house until the 1930s when it was listed for demolition. All other neighbouring row houses were also listed for demolition and were destroyed in 1936, but because William Lyon Mackenzie?s Grandson (William Lyon Mackenzie King) was the Prime Minister of Canada at that time, the Mackenzie house was spared due to its historical significance to the Mackenzie family.

A group of citizens later decided to raise money to preserve the house and it opened in 1950 as a museum with William Lyon Mackenzie?s printing press on exhibit. The Mackenzie house was designed in the Georgian architecture style, today the house serves as a municipally-run historic house museum about 1860s Victorian life.

Mackenzie House Haunted Rumors

The Mackenzie House is supposedly haunted by William Mackenzie, allegedly seen working his printing press. Stories of ghostly activity were printed in Toronto?s newspapers in the 1960s.

Skeptics believe these stories were a gimmick to boost attendance numbers because the museum was not in a good financial situation. Nevertheless, many people have witnessed ghostly activity of a similar fashion in identical areas of the house.

Some of the reports have been of a man wearing a frock coat resembling William Lyon Mackenzie standing in a 2nd floor bedroom. Others have heard sounds of William?s printing press used for publishing.

Hours of Operation

January ? April
Saturday ? Sunday
Noon – 5 p.m.

March Break
Monday ? Friday
Noon – 4 p.m.

Saturday ? Sunday
Noon – 5 p.m.

May – Labour Day
Tuesday ? Sunday
Noon – 5 p.m.

September ? December
Tuesday ? Friday
Noon – 4 p.m.

Saturday ? Sunday
Noon – 5 p.m.

Christmas Eve, New Years Eve Day
Noon – 3 p.m

Mondays, Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day

Closed

Maps and Directions to the Mackenzie House

By Car

From West or South: Follow the QEW into Toronto, where it turns into the Gardiner Expressway. Take the York St exit towards Bay St / Yonge St. Make a slight left towards Harbour St (follow signs for Yonge St / Queens Quay). Continue straight onto Harbour St, make a slight left at Yonge St, Turn right at Shuter St, Turn left on Bond St and the Mackenzie House should be on your left hand side.

From East: Take Highway 401 into Toronto and exit onto the Don Valley Parkway Southbound. Take the exit Toward Richmond St. Merge into Eastern Ave, make a Slight right at Richmond St E, Take the 1st right onto Power St, Turn left at Queen St E, Turn right on Bond St and the Mackenzie House should be on your left hand side.

From North: Take Highway 400 into Toronto, exiting onto Highway 401 West. Continue until you reach Highway 427 southbound. Follow Highway 427 to downtown via the QEW/Gardiner Expressway. While on the Gardiner Expressway, Take the York St exit towards Bay St / Yonge St. Make a slight left towards Harbour St (follow signs for Yonge St / Queens Quay). Continue straight onto Harbour St, make a slight left at Yonge St, Turn right at Shuter St, Turn left on Bond St and the Mackenzie House should be on your left hand side

By Public Transit

Take the Yonge / University subway line to Dundas subway station, exit to surface and walk two blocks east to Bond Street. Or, take either the Dundas or Queen streetcar to Bond Street and walk south from Dundas Street East or north from Queen Street East. For specific TTC route and schedule information call 416-393-4636 (INFO)

Map of Mackenzie House Location

Contact the Mackenzie House

Email: machouse at toronto.ca
Phone: 416-392-6915

Montgomery’s Inn

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:17:19 +0000

Montgomery?s Inn
4709 Dundas Street West
Etobicoke, ON M9A 1A8
416-394-8113

Montgomery?s Inn is a historical building that was built in 1832 by Thomas Montgomery. Thomas was a Irish immigrant who worked as a farmer and inn-keeper. The building was constructed in a Georgian style with later additions. The inn has been restored to an 1847 period, and operates as a museum of the City of Toronto.

The Inn was built on the historic colonial route connecting Toronto (then called York) with Dundas to the west, and around Lake Ontario to Niagara-on-the-Lake (then Newark).

As one of the earliest buildings in Etobicoke (a suburb just west of Toronto), the building was in danger of demolition in 1962. Today Montgomery?s Inn still stands as a cherished remnant of colonial times in Upper Canada, though most of its artifacts are not original to the building, they are period pieces, however a few artifacts did belonged to the Montgomery family.

Montgomery’s Inn operated as Etobicoke’s civic museum before the City of Etobicoke was absorbed into the City of Toronto in 1998. The inn is now operated by the City of Toronto Culture Division, however the Inn still serves as Etobicoke’s historical museum, displaying artifacts of the 19th century, mainly between 1847 and 1850 when the inn was at its peak.

Guided tours are available by Inn?s staff, however self guided tours are also acceptable. Features of Montgomery?s Inn would include the Montgomery family’s private sitting room, a bar with its wooden cage, the Victorian meeting hall upstairs, and an open?hearth kitchen, which serves treats to visitors, made the old?fashioned way.

Stop by the Tea Room where pots of tea and a light snack are served a couple of hours a day for a modest price.

Hours of Operation

Open Tuesday to Sunday
Museum: 1:00 to 5:00pm
Tearoom: 2:00 to 4:30pm
Special hours for events
Closed on some statutory holidays

Directions and Map to Montgomery?s Inn

By Car

Drive to the south-east corner of Islington Avenue and Dundas Street West ? free parking is available off Montgomery Road.

From West or South: Follow the QEW into Toronto, where it turns into the Gardiner Expressway. Follow the signs for Kipling Ave/Islington Ave/Park Lawn Rd. Take Exit 142 toward Park Lawn Rd, Merge onto Islington Ave going North until you reach Dundas St West.

From the East: Take highway 401 West, take the exit 356 and merge onto Islington going south until you reach Dundas St West.

From North: Head south on the 400, take exit 20 for Jane St, Turn right on Jane St, Turn Right on St. Clair Ave W, Turn left at Scarlett Rd, continue onto Dundas St W

Map of Montgomery?s Inn Location

Contact Montgomery’s Inn

Email: montinn at toronto.ca
Phone: 416-394-8113