Toronto Historic Sites events Sept. 21 to Oct. 4

The City of Toronto Historic Sites present a variety of events 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 11 Colborne Lodge Dr.

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 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

Harvest Festival
Sunday, October 1, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FREE (Some small activity fees apply)

This year, the Colborne Lodge Harvest Festival celebrates the innovative spirit of the confederation generation. A collection of Makers, John Howard’s like-minded 21st century community, will join in the celebration of innovation past and present. All of your Harvest Festival favourites will still be here as well – artisans, local food, community organizations, museum friends, music, dance, pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, wagon rides – and of course our famous roast potatoes. This event is presented as part of TO Canada with Love, the City of Toronto’s year-long program of celebrations, commemorations and exhibitions honouring Canada’s 150th birthday.

FORT YORK NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE 250 Fort York Blvd.

Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Regular Admission: Adults: $12.40, Seniors (65+): $8.85, Youth (13-18): $7.10,

Child (6-12): $5.30 (plus tax). Children 5 years and under are free.

Paid parking available near site. fortyork@toronto.ca 416-392-6907

Invictus Games Toronto 2017: Archery Competition

September 27, Preliminaries, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

September 28, Preliminaries, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

September 29, Finals & Medal Ceremonies, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The third Invictus Games will welcome more than 550 competitors of 17 nations competing in a dozen adaptive sports. Established by Prince Harry in 2014, the Invictus Games are the only international adaptive sporting event for injured active duty and veteran service members. Fort York will host the Archery Competition September 27 to 29 within the historic site, surrounded by Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings. Tickets and admission to Fort York are free. http://www.invictusgames2017.com/tickets/.

GIBSON HOUSE MUSEUM 5172 Yonge St.

Limited free parking on site; nearby paid underground and street level parking.

Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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

gibsonhouse@toronto.ca 416-395-7432

Pay-What-You-Wish Thursday Night Socials at Gibson House Museum
Thursdays, 5 to 8 p.m.

Visit Gibson House Museum on Thursday nights and take a self-guided tour through the historic house. Relax in the historic kitchen and learn about the Gibson family and the history of North York. Interested in improving your sewing skills? Join the Community Quilt Group from 6 to 8 p.m. where you will explore 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. The last Thursday of each month is Board Games Night – all ages welcome to challenge us to a game! Keep an eye on our Facebook page for the featured games of the month.

Tea and Tour Sundays
Every Sunday from September 17 to December 16, 1 to 4:30 p.m.                    

There’s a seat for you at the harvest table in the historic kitchen on Sunday afternoons throughout the year. Relax and have a chat over tea and homemade cookies. Enjoy a tour of the lovely, 1850s farmhouse. Included with regular admission.

Fall Festival

Saturday, September 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Featuring local community groups, vendors, heritage demonstrations, hands-on activities and games, a farm animal petting zoo, it’s sure to be a day of fun for all ages. Meet your neighbours, tour the museum and try your hand at our games of skill and chance! Visit the new Gibson Park apple orchard and learn about the historic apple orchard that grew on the Gibson’s farm, and be sure to check out our new exhibition Gibson House Preserves. Admission is FREE. This event is presented as part of TO Canada with Love, the City of Toronto’s year-long program of celebrations, commemorations and exhibitions honouring Canada’s 150th birthday.

MACKENZIE HOUSE 82 Bond St.

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 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

Eaton’s Goes to War: Family, Memory & Meaning
September 21 to December 31
Included with regular admission

The First World War transformed Canada. During that war, 3,327 Eaton’s employees enlisted to fight. Each time one of them was shipped overseas, a photo was displayed prominently in the Toronto store just steps from Mackenzie House. 2,000 of these portraits survived and have become part of the T. Eaton Company records at the Archives of Ontario. In commemoration of Canada’s 150th birthday, Mackenzie House staff have been actively searching out accounts of the lives of these men and urging the public to come forward to share their stories of the soldiers with us. Who were these men and their families? Come to our exhibit and find out. This exhibit is presented as part of TO Canada with Love, the City of Toronto’s year-long program of celebrations, commemorations and exhibitions honouring Canada’s 150th birthday

Nuit Blanche: EnvisionTO: Project Mackenzie

September 30 at 7 p.m. to October 1 at 7 a.m.

As twilight fades on the eve of 09.30.17 a portal will open at Mackenzie House. Through this portal you will have the chance to experience one of Toronto’s many possible futures! FREE

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

Admission by pay-what-you-can donation (suggested donation $2.) marketgallery@toronto.ca 416-392-7604.

Maple Leaf Forever: Toronto’s Take on a National Symbol
July 22 to November 25

This artifact-rich exhibition will explore how Torontonians have helped shape the maple leaf as Canada’s leading national symbol over the past 150 years. From the Prince of Wales’ visit to Toronto just prior to Confederation to the use of the maple leaf in commercial and industrial branding throughout the 20th century, Torontonians have forged close associations between the maple leaf as an icon and a source of identity. This exhibit is presented as part of TO Canada with Love, the City of Toronto’s year-long program of celebrations, commemorations and exhibitions honouring Canada’s 150th birthday.

MONTGOMERY’S INN 4709 Dundas St. W.

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

Tearoom Hours: Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

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

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

Tea Time at the Inn

Sundays, 1 to 4 pm

Special weekly tea in our community room. Choice of sweet or savoury plate, with a seasonal feature. $7.00 plus HST. No reservation required.

Montgomery’s Inn Winter Farmers Market

Every Wednesday from, 2 to 6 pm

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.

Master and Commander: A Weekend in 1800
Friday to Sunday, September 22 to 24
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the Royal Navy in Lord Nelson’s time. Enjoy a concert by renowned trio Gin Lane, the merchants’ market, historical meals by candlelight, dancing, demonstrations, hearth-cooking workshops, and much more. For full details, follow the link www.JaneAustenDancing.ca or call 416-578-1031.

Thirsty Thursdays

Thursday September 28, 7 to 10 pm

The last Thursday of every month is Thirsty Thursday Tavern night at the Inn. Enjoy a glass of beer or wine in our restored 1847 barroom! Montgomery’s Inn. Irish stew, fresh baked bread and live traditional music. Admission is pay what you can! Cash bar, $5.00 for a bowl of stew, while supplies last.

Etobicoke Historical Society Speaker Nights

Thursday September 28, 7 pm

Join the Etobicoke Historical Society for a talk by Ed Butts about ‘Simon Girty: “Savage” Villain of the American frontier, or Loyalist hero?’ All are welcome

Neapolitan Connection Concert Series

Saturday September 30, 2 to 4 pm

Join us for classical music at the Inn in partnership with Neapolitan Connection. Tours of the museum and refreshments are included in the ticket price. Tickets available at http://www.neapolitanconnection.com/.

SCARBOROUGH MUSEUM 1007 Brimley Rd.

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 12 to 8 p.m

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

September Weekends – 12 to 4 p.m.  

Sad about summer ending? Leaf your worries behind! Scarborough Museum has tons of fun for the whole family every weekend, so come on out and get in that last bit of summer! Admission is Pay What You Can.

October Weekends 12 to 4 p.m.  

Don’t be a Halloweenie! Conjure up your pioneer spirit at Scarborough Museum! Lots of Halloween themed activities to ensure you have a screaming good time. Admission is Pay What You Can.

SPADINA MUSEUM 285 Spadina Rd.
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday and Holiday Mondays, 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

Settling in Toronto: The Quest for Freedom, Opportunity and Identity
To  September 30

Exploring how immigration and the experiences of new Canadians has transformed the city from the 1700s to the present, this exhibit will reveal the evolution of Toronto through personal stories of struggle, triumph, and celebration. Included with admission.

“Hello Dali” – A Surrealist Collage Workshop

Friday, September 22, 7 to 10 p.m.

Create a collage in the spirit of the 1920s Surrealists at Spadina Museum. Join us for an evening of creative exploration and come away with a finished 12″x12″ collage inspired by the 1920s Surrealists and your own imagination. After the workshop enjoy an evening tour of Spadina Museum followed by light refreshments. All materials supplied. Recommended for ages 18 and up. $30.00 plus tax. Click here to purchase tickets.

TODMORDEN MILLS HERITAGE SITE 67 Pottery Rd.

Regular Admission: Adults $6.19, Seniors/Youth $3.54, Children 6 to 12 $2.65 (plus tax)

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

Harvest Festival
Sunday, September 24, 12 to 4 p.m.
FREE

Celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, the harvest season in the valley and Todmorden Mills Heritage Site’s Golden Anniversary! Visit our re-restored historic homes, sample period recipes, tour the Wildflower Preserve, create a fun take-home craft – and meet our special costumed guests from Todmorden’s past! Print a souvenir on the Mackenzie House proof press, discover artifacts in a Pop-Up Museum, and more! This event is presented as part of TO Canada with Love, the City of Toronto’s year-long program of celebrations, commemorations and exhibitions honouring Canada’s 150th birthday.

A Colourful History: Toronto’s Historic Sites
October 4 to October 15, Opening reception Thursday October 5, 6:30pm
FREE admission to the Papermill Gallery, regular admission applies to the rest of the museum
Toronto artist and urban geographer Daniel Rotsztain has visited and sketched more than 100 of Toronto’s historic sites, capturing their unique architectural features and even some of their quirky and beloved artifacts! These drawings, featured in the colouring book A Colourful History Toronto published by Dundurn Press, offer Papermill Gallery visitors a chance to see the original drawings created by the artist along with his captions and comments. This project is presented as part of TO Canada with Love, the City of Toronto’s year-long program of celebrations, commemorations and exhibitions honouring Canada’s 150th birthday.

—  Ilena Aldini-Messina