City of Toronto Historic Sites events Jan. 15 to 28, 2015

Ilena Aldini-Messina —

The City of Toronto Historic Sites present several events in January that provide enriching entertainment for all ages while connecting visitors to Toronto’s rich history. Visit www.toronto.ca/museum-events for more information.

COLBORNE LODGE    South end of High Park on Colborne Lodge Drive

Hours: Friday to Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Regular Admission: Adults $6.19, Seniors/Youth $3.54, Children $2.65 (plus tax)

Limited free parking  clodge@toronto.ca  416-392-6916

Winter Fun Day

Sunday, January 18, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Fun, wintery activities include taffy pulling for kids, roasting marshmallows, eating roasted potatoes and sipping warm cider in the great outdoors. Dress warmly as most of the activities are outside. Small fees apply for taffy-pulling, potatoes and cider. Grounds are free, regular admission applies to tour Colborne Lodge.

FORT YORK NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE   250 Fort York Blvd.

Hours: Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday & Sunday:  10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Regular Admission: Adults $7.96, Seniors/Youth $4.87, Children $3.76 (plus tax)

Children 5 years and under are free. On-site parking available. fortyork@toronto.ca  416-392-6907

Queen Charlotte’s Birthday Ball

Saturday, January 17, 1 to 10:30 p.m.

This annual signature event at Fort York is a re-creation of a significant moment in Toronto’s history, specifically, a Ball held by Officers of the Garrison at York (Fort York) on January 23, 1817, celebrating the Queen’s birthday. Participants who attend this social gathering receive instruction in period dance, experience an authentically-prepared Georgian buffet supper and then go on to enjoy an evening of English country dancing.

Each year, the day begins with an illustrated talk, and for the 14th annual event,

Dr. Larry Ostola, Director of Museum and Heritage Services with the City of Toronto, will be the featured speaker. He will discuss the Treaty of Ghent and the promise of peace after the war of 1812, the theme of this year’s event.

Costumes are welcome. Tickets are $100 plus tax. Pre-registration required

416-392-6907, Ext. 0.  For more details click here.

GIBSON HOUSE MUSEUM   5172 Yonge Street

Hours: As of January 17, Wednesday to Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.

Regular admission: Adults $5.48, Seniors/Youth $3.10, Children $2.62 (plus tax)  gibsonhouse@toronto.ca  416-395-7432

Community Quilt Group Get-togethers

Starts January 15

Thursdays, 6 to 8 p.m.

Relax and meet new friends while you improve your sewing skills. We invite members of all ages from North York’s diverse communities to join us for informal evenings of learning and sharing. You’ll explore both historic and contemporary quilting techniques in a comfortable, social setting. Work on a group project or pay a small fee for materials and make your own piece. Even if you have never picked up a needle and thread before you are welcome to join in. FREE.

Pay-what-you-wish Thursday Night Socials

Starts January 22

Thursdays, 5 to 8 p.m.

Go back in time to a winter’s eve, circa 1851. Have some tea and sit by the fire in the historic kitchen. Play the board games you remember from your childhood plus the new ones we’ll introduce from time to time. All ages welcome (children must be accompanied by an adult).

P.A. Day Adventures For ages 7 to 11

Friday, January 23, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A fun-filled day spent cooking in the historic kitchen, learning an old-fashioned way to “text,” playing games and meeting new friends. Pre-registration required.

$30 plus tax. Extended Care available 8-9 a.m. and 4:30-5:30 p.m. $10 plus tax for morning or afternoon. $15 plus tax for both.

MACKENZIE HOUSE  82 Bond Street

Hours: Open January 2 & 3, 12 to 4 p.m., Afterward, Saturdays & Sundays: 12 to 5 p.m.

Regular Admission: Adults $6.19, Seniors/Youth $3.54, Children: $2.65 (plus tax)

Children (4 and under): Free. machouse@toronto.ca  416-392-6915

Haggis Making Workshop

Saturday, January 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Join us for this unique opportunity to make a rustic Scottish meal including the infamous Haggis. Participants will work in the historic kitchen and explore the lives of 19th-century Scottish settlers – with special guest Maggie Newell, historic cook and culinary historian, from Gibson House Museum. $30 plus tax.

Robbie Burns’ Day Celebration

Sunday, January 25, 12 to 4 p.m.

Celebrate the birthday of the infamous Scottish Poet with toe-tapping live music, shortbread and a taste of haggis! Hear some comical stories about that oft’ misunderstood concoction! Adults $7.08, Seniors/Youth/Children $4.42, (plus tax) 4 and under free.

THE MARKET GALLERY 2nd Floor, South St. Lawrence Market, 95 Front Street East

Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Sunday & Monday. Paid parking in the area  416-392-7604  marketgallery@toronto.ca

Toronto Observed Through Three Generations

A Photography Exhibition

Opens January 24, on until May 9
This new exhibition will feature close to 80 black and white photographs of Toronto as viewed through the lens of three generations. Harry Joy, Doug Hemmy and Andy Brooks are three accomplished photographers brought together through their long-standing personal friendship and their interest in the city as a subject.

MONTGOMERY’S INN   4709 Dundas Street West at Islington Avenue

Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.

Closed Mondays & Holidays.

Regular Admission: Adults $5.71, Seniors/Youth $2.86, Children $1.90 (plus tax)

Free parking   montinn@toronto.ca   416-394-8113

Montgomery’s Inn Winter (Indoors!) Farmers Market

Every Wednesday from, 2 to 6 p.m.

Buy direct from local farmers and food artisans. Organic fruit and vegetables, organic wine, cheese, bread and prepared foods as well as ethically raised meat, honey and more!  Free admission to shop. Regular admission applies to tour the museum.

Thirsty Thursdays

Thursday, January 29, 7 to 10 p.m.

The last Thursday of every month is Thirsty Thursday Tavern night at the Inn. Enjoy a glass of beer, wine, or a Thomas Montgomery specialty in our restored 1847 barroom while listening to live traditional music. Admission is free! Cash bar, $5 for a bowl of stew, while supplies last.

SCARBOROUGH MUSEUM   1007 Brimley Road, just north of Lawrence in Thomson Memorial Park

Hours: Wednesday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Regular admission is pay-what-you-can.  shm@toronto.ca  416-338-8807

Super Fun P.A. Day Camp – For 5 to 12 year-olds

Friday, January 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Course code: 2650518

Scarborough Museum is the boredom buster for P.A. days!  Bake over the open hearth, make crafts, play games, and explore the park. Lunch is included. $33 per child. Pre-register online at toronto.ca/torontofun or call 416-338-4FUN. Extended care is available for an additional fee.

January Weekends – 12 to 4 p.m.

Celebrate the start of 2015 with Scarborough Museum.  Help decorate New Year’s cupcakes and make traditional Chinese lanterns! Admission is Pay What You Can.

SPADINA MUSEUM  285 Spadina Road

Hours: Open January 2 & 3, 12 to 4 p.m.; afterward, Saturdays & Sundays: 12 to 5 p.m.
Regular admission: Adults $7.96, Seniors/Youth (13-18 yrs.) $5.75, Children (6-12 yrs.) $4.87 (plus tax), Children (5 and under) Free. Paid parking next door at Casa Loma
416-392-6910 spadina@toronto.ca

Meet the Austins: A Toronto Family Between the Wars – A Themed Tour

Saturdays and Sundays, beginning January 10, at 12:15 p.m., 1 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3:15 p.m. and 4 p.m. 
See Spadina and the history of Toronto, through the eyes of the Austin family, who made it their home. Business people, artists, socialites and philanthropists, the Austins were a prominent family whose struggles and triumphs were closely tied to those of Toronto as they entered the 20th century. Regular admission applies.

TODMORDEN MILLS HERITAGE SITE

Bottom of Pottery Road, East of Bayview Avenue, West of Broadview Avenue

Hours: Wednesday to Friday, 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 12 to 4:30 p.m.

Regular Admission: Adults $5.31, Seniors/Youth $2.65, Children 6 to12  $1.77 (plus tax)

Children 5 and under free. Free parking   todmorden@toronto.ca    416-396-2819

Winter in the Valley – An Outdoor Guided Walk

Sunday, January 25, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Tour the Wildflower Preserve to learn how birds, animals and plants adapt to and survive harsh winter conditions. Enjoy mulled cider after the walk.  Adults: $5.31; Youth/Seniors: $3 Children: $2; (plus tax)

In the Papermill Theatre:

First Act Productions presents

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!

January 16 to 24

Set in a Western Indian territory just after the turn of the century, the high-spirited rivalry between the local farmers and cowboys provides the colorful background against which Curly, a handsome cowboy, and Laurey, a winsome farm girl, play out their love story. Although the road to true love never runs smooth, with these two headstrong romantics holding the reins, love’s journey is as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road.

For tickets visit http://www.firstactproductions.ca or call 416-577-1344