[Heritage Columns] City Museums Face Closure

[caption id="attachment_8747" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="Click image to go to Spacing magazine article"][/caption]

 

FromHeritage Toronto

 

Thank you Gail Lord for providing this text:
This week, the City of Toronto's Executive Committee approved a report from the City Manager to close "museums with the least attendance, and revenues compared to costs." Another proposal asks the City Manager to report on further extensive cuts to culture programs.

These proposals indicate a misunderstanding of what museums are. In any city, museums are about identity, linking the past to the present. In Toronto, the world's most multicultural city, museums are even more crucial to social cohesion.

Toronto's historic museums - Montgomery's Inn, Spadina House, McKenzie House, Colborne Lodge, Market Gallery, Gibson House, Zion Schoolhouse, Scarborough Historic Museum and Fort York - are the repository of our collective heritage. Destroy them and you destroy the DNA of who we are and how we got here. Each of these sites, whether they be in downtown Toronto, Scarborough, North York or Etobicoke, reflect not only our past, but are also neighbourhood hubs for sharing and learning about our modern diverse communities.

Clearly there is room for improving the attendance and the financial performance of these museums. However, closures are not the answer. The museum closings will be before City Council on Monday September 26th. I urge you to write to the Mayor and members of City Council to raise your voice in opposition to this proposal. Click here for contact information for the Mayor and Councillors.

Also, there is a Facebook group you can join to support our City's museums

 

 

 

 

Junction Shul this weekend

Interesting talk for Junction folk

 

 

Text of Image

Join us on Thursday, April 28th as we launch our 2011 Heritage Toronto Walks season with an illustrated lecture on the history of Toronto's railways, hosted by Derek Boles. Our 2011 Spring walk brochures will be available for pick up as well!

How the Railways Shaped Toronto
Illustrated Lecture

 

On May 16, 1853 the first passenger train steamed out of Toronto from a wooden depot that was located just east of present-day Union Station. Over the next century, the railways had a profound impact on the geography of Toronto and helped transform the city into the commercial centre of Canada. See rare images and animations that illustrate how the railways formed and altered Toronto's built and natural landscape over the last century and a half. And discover the role that St. Lawrence Hall played in railway history!

DATE: Thursday, April 28th at 7:00pm

SPEAKER: Derek Boles, Toronto Railway Historical Association,
Author of Toronto's Railway Heritage

LOCATION: St. Lawrence Hall
157 King Street East (at Jarvis), 3rd Floor - Great Hall

 

Heritage Toronto

Heritage Toronto Events Calendar

Monarch Rd today from the Maple Leaf Mills site

This Road which has been abandoned for so long by the city is now visible. (but not useable)

To the left and right of the bottom image sat industrial buildings  about 15 years ago.

To the left was the Dominion Corrugated Company.

To the right was the repair building for the mill. The mill repair building has been gone for over twenty years. In the seventies this roadway was buzzing 24 hours a day.

It was incredibly dirty with the road caked with oil and grain.

Now with the entire mill site undergoing a revitalization, with a possible school and other high street elements, the area is being transformed in a great way.

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Wild, Wild, Junction II The Historical Mystery Tour Continues

2nd Incredible Year!

The West Toronto Junction Historical Society presents:



Wild, Wild, Junction II

The Historical Mystery Tour Continues



And the launch of

Justice in the Junction

The Life and Times of Josiah Royce



Sunday, October 24, 3pm, Axis Gallery and Grill, 3048 Dundas West, ending at Shox's 3313 Dundas West.



Join us for our fall fund raiser and pub crawl



Relive the events that led the Junction to "go dry" for almost a century with the men and women who were there as the Legends of the Junction return.



Examine the Junction's oldest cold case: The Death of Joseph Curley.

Be sworn in as a jury member and vote. Accident or Murder?



M.P.P. Cheri DiNovo will be reprising her hilarious performance as the Reverend Shore whose famous “Harlotry, Vice and Iniquity” sermon set the Junction on fire.



Proceeds go to the Boom Times Artist/Mentors program working with local students to create original works of art about Junction history and culture.



We’ll also be officially launching our five part graphic novel series, Justice in the Junction, the Life and Times of Josiah Royce, with story by Neil Ross and art by Brendan FitzPatrick.



History meets community in the Junction!



Tickets $25, available at Pandemonium Books and Discs (2862 Dundas Street West) and Wise Daughters Craft Market (3079B Dundas Street West) and at the Annette Street Library (145 Annette Street)



Details and the spectacular Wild, Wild Junction 2 poster by Mark Dallas are on our homepage at: wtjhs.ca




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East silos to come down and the west silos will stay

Well if anything proves that the Junction is achangen to this author who has always had a connection to the Junction thought out my life it is this.

At 43 Junction Rd the east silos are to come down in Nov. or Dec of this year.

The blogs hopes to publish some in-depth images of them next week.

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Oh if they could only stop now and create a park around this structure!

Just imagine a multi-level urban park with community gardens and spiraling  climbing footpaths covered in vines.

Carleton Village/ New Number 11 police station in the process of change.

these pictures taken a few nights ago are already out of dat as the blog pasted by today more the old building was going down

A deconstruction of situation as developmental related art

Images................................  Carleton Village/ New Number 11 police station







The situation of place in Carlton Village area around Old westion Rd. and Davenport is changing rapidly, yet during the changes their our some wonderful sites such as above.

A History of the World in 100 Objects

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/ahow

Normally I don't post items about art and craft an area that normally dominates my days... and well nights.

Yet this audio program from the BBC is great and I cannot help but think about the Junction areas long history of craft and making whilst listening to it. So I got excited and wanted to share it with you,  and if you are out their the owner of old Majestic glass store on Dundas St, (Now the local BIA office) where my interest in making began.

Last night Annette Library, Lower Level, Committee Room 1 - A Short History of Haida Gwaii

West Toronto Junction Historical Society talk

This talk has taken place now

Thursday, January 7, 2010

7:30 p.m. Refreshments 7:50 p.m. Business Meeting
8:20 p.m. A Short History of Haida Gwaii (more commonly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands). Gib Goodfellow
will illustrate his talk with images recorded by Phyllis Goodfellow and Lynn Wiggan on their excursion to these
isolated and scenic islands north of Vancouver Island in June of this year. Haida Gwaii is composed of two principal
islands. The southern most has a small community, an airport and numerous historic Haida sites which have been
vacated since the small pox epidemics of the 19th century. Some are open to the public and exist within a unique
partnership between Parks Canada and the Haida people. The north island contains most of the current population
and economic activity, as well at the six larger communities.

More cognitive dissonance in the area of Junction building facades.

One begets another in the Junction it seems, or does it?

Building number 2 certainly has had it's facade "improved" with a serious amount of cognitive dissonance [1] in the way most people feel is the nature of the Junction street scape and heart. It is common to hear people new to the Junction or long time residents speak of the historical character of the community and it's difference in living culture as well as lack of pop architecture renewal.

Building 2 would fit well in the chosen style that has developed of the area of  College Street West. This areas restaurant/bar/shopping strip along College Street which is centered on intersection of College and Grace Streets has developed its own unique style from it developed culture.

This  building façade going up at Dundas in the West Toronto Junction  doesn't exactly blend into its surroundings or fit the developing culture of the Junction, but  its neighbors are  bound for the local architecture history books.  Building  1's owner did a great job blending the cost/value situation of  the façade renovation and the new old material use, this past summer

Building 3's owners have consistently maintained their building over the years in a way consistent with the historical nature of the building. they stepped away a few years ago for th ground level area - but not so much as to harm the buildings character.  with the area

At least it's got large symmetrical windows on the second level. and the arch is a Junction historical feature, just not in the size and placement they have used. Still when this new construction  is finished, it'll really stick out.

[1.A condition of conflict or anxiety resulting from inconsistency between one's beliefs and one's actions]

2989 Dundas St W - rooftop warehouse addition

The renovation of facades of contributing buildings should

respect the original architectural style

The addition placed on top of 2989 Dundas St west; in the opinion of this author, whole fully disfigures the  Dundas St West and Pacific Ave street intersection.

Standing on any corner other than the south west corner provides the viewer with a massive warehouse type box sitting on top of historic building.

The larger question, however, surfaces again with this type of development renovation: Is this type of building change better or worse for the neighborhood than stronger rules at the municipal level to protect the historical core street scape of the Junction.

The City of Toronto has rules about renovations of new and renovated buildings stating they shall be designed  sympathetic to the district heritage attributes, through massing, rhythm of solids and voids, significant design features, and high quality materials [1. http://www.toronto.ca/heritagepreservation/pdf/hcd_queenwest_draft_guidelines.pdf]

Further the city guidelines state...

The renovation of facades of contributing buildings should respect the original architectural style.

Also the city states is values "street walls"

A “street wall” is a condition where buildings consistently line or front to the edge of a street.

This building renovation simply does not meet the guidelines, nor considers the character of the Junction

A Short History of Haida Gwaii - West Toronto Junction Historical Society talk

Join us Thursday, January 7, 2010 7:30 p.m at the Annette Public Library  for A Short History of Haida Gwaii (which only recently changed its name from the Queen Charlotte Islands). Gib Goodfellow will illustrate his talk with images recorded by Phyllis Goodfellow and Lynn Wiggan on their excursion to these isolated and scenic islands north of Vancouver Island in June of 2009. Haida Gwaii is composed of two principal islands. The southern most has a small community, an airport and numerous historic Haida sites which have been vacated since the small pox epidemics of the 19th century. Some are open to the public and exist within a unique partnership between Parks Canada and the Haida people. The north island contains most of the current population and economic activity, as well at the six larger communities.

GIVE THE GIFT OF HISTORY THIS CHRISTMAS


Someone you love would love to get connected to their roots in the historic Junction.
Join the West Toronto Junction Historical Society and share the most exciting story in Toronto. Receive four issues of our award winning historical quarterly, the Leader and Recorder. Join now and get five issues of the L&R as copies of our fall 2009 edition are still available featuring the remarkable story of the Dundas Mosque: Malcolm X in the Junction, Louise Fein Corblum's reminisces celebrating the Centennial of West Toronto Paint and Wallpaper and David Wencer's full and riotous account of Wild, Wild, Junction Historical Mystery Tour.  Individual memberships $20, family memberships $30.
Your membership fees support the WTJHS archives, our efforts to preserve historic buildings and our monthly speaking series in the Annette Street Library.

Go to wtjhs.ca for details.

Village of West Toronto Junction T-shirts

Dave LeBlanc of the Globe and Mail tours the Junction

A couple of excerpts from the newspaper article

Okay, here's one more: If you haven't heard of architect James Augustus Ellis (1856 – 1935), it's high time you took a tour of the neighbourhood, as I did one bright and chilly mid-October day with the book's author, Barbara Myrvold. The occasion, if the book's re-release and a love of good architecture wasn't enough, was the 100th anniversary of the opening of the library, designed by Mr. Ellis and partner William Connery and built with funds obtained via a Carnegie grant.

We met in the library's foyer, upon which Ms. Myrvold took me to the basement level to collect local history expert David Wencer in the offices of the West Toronto Junction Historical Society (a tenant since 1997), and then up to the main reception area to see the gorgeous ceiling, uncovered by architects Henno Sillaste and Hiro Nakashima during a 1979 renovation.

But that's the charm of the Junction: Houses, commercial and institutional buildings by a world-class architect rub elbows with those of lesser stock. Once a gritty railroad town, it was annexed by the City of Toronto in 1909 and remained under the real estate radar for nine decades as a place with “a fierce, independent spirit," says Mr. Wencer. Since the late 1990s, however, the secret's been out as artists looking for cheap studio space and bargain-hunting hipster couples discover its rough charm.

full article link

Two Junction events this weekend

West Toronto Junction Historical Society

WILD, WILD, JUNCTION

HISTORICAL MYSTERY TOUR

It was a night of Legend, the night they closed the bars in the Junction.  The newspapers claimed ten thousand men in the streets.  The women weren’t even counted although they’d made their voice heard.  West Toronto Junction was about to embark on a dry sea of temperance: the Local Option.  But how wild could a town get to have to close down its own bars?  Join us to find out for our fall fund raiser!

2PM, Sunday, Oct. 25, beginning at the Troubadour, 3071 Dundas West (south side just east of Quebec) and ending at Shox (2827Dundas St. W. just east of Keele.)

For father information, contact, Neil Ross

See Poster at Junction Parents Blog here

and the

Junction BIA

*The Junction Pumpkin Fest & Scary Halloween Movies Event*

The Junction BIA, and the Rue Morgue House of Horror invite you and your family to The Junction Pumpkin fest & Scary movies event held at The Junction Train station (Dundas/Pacific) on Saturday, Oct 24.

Come join the fun! We will have pumpkin drawing and pumpkin carving for everyone.

Kids 1 to 4 years old can decorate pumpkins (with parental assistance), while kids 5 to 12-years-old can carve their own pumpkins. All the necessary materials are provided free of charge. And the pre-Halloween festivities don’t end there! The evening will see a selection of family-friendly classic spooky movies (not too scary) projected at the Junction Train Station. Seating, hot chocolate and treats will be provided – and it’s all free of charge. Dress warmly!

see poster at the Junction Parents blog here

wtjhs.ca - fall fund raiser, Wild, Wild, Junction, a Historical Mystery Tour

fall fund raiser, Wild, Wild,

Junction, a Historical Mystery Tour will tackle some of the great mysteries

of the Junction. Chief of Police Josiah Royce (Ron Clark) will lead a group

of adventurous souls from tavern to saloon as the Legends of the Junction

return to regale us with tales of the wide open railway town that was.

Perhaps the most intriguing mystery we’ll be following is what led the

Junction to ban the sale of alcohol for almost a hundred years.

We’ll begin with the suspicious death that led the town to its appointment

with abstinence. Once again, Chief Royce will investigate and ask Who

Killed Joe Curley? that night outside the Subway Hotel just north of Keele

and Dundas.

Wild, Wild,

Junction, a Historical Mystery Tour will tackle some of the great mysteries

of the Junction. Chief of Police Josiah Royce (Ron Clark) will lead a group

of adventurous souls from tavern to saloon as the Legends of the Junction

return to regale us with tales of the wide open railway town that was.

Perhaps the most intriguing mystery we’ll be following is what led the

Junction to ban the sale of alcohol for almost a hundred years.

We’ll begin with the suspicious death that led the town to its appointment

with abstinence. Once again, Chief Royce will investigate and ask Who

Killed Joe Curley? that night outside the Subway Hotel just north of Keele

and Dundas.

Wild, Wild Junction, an Historical Mystery Tour. 2PM, Sunday, Oct. 25,

beginning at the Troubadour, 3071 Dundas West (south side just east of

Quebec.)

Full details see  this PDF WILD. WILD, JUNCTION

The Junction Represents at Clean Train Coalition's Human Train

The Junction Whistle stop at the Junction City Square on Saturday was a big success.  Thanks to Bill Heffernan and friends, who kept the crowd of over 100 entertained with their rousing and original train songs.  Thanks also to Neil Ross of the Junction Historical Society for theatrically educating those present about the history of the Junction and trains, Videoscope for donating the PA system and Agora Cafe for providing great and organic coffee, tea and cookies.  The Clean Train Coalition organized a great walk that culminated in a powerful rally at Sorauren Park, where over 1000 people attended and where politicians from every level as well as community organizers, including the Junction Residents Association, addressed the crowd.  The Junction banner stole the show, and may be on display in our neighbourhood doon for those who didn't get a chance to sign it.

[caption id="attachment_5305" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Junction Banner at Sorauren Rally"][/caption]

Here are some links to Tweets and news from that day:

Twitter

Toronto Sun Video

Toronto Star

Photos

Heritage: Neil Ross on Canadian Humour - blog link

[caption id="attachment_2635" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Neil Ross presented the history of Canadian Humour to the West Toronto Junction Historical Society on 5-February-2009"][/caption]

Image and post Way Out In The Margin  blog

TORONTO, ONTARIO - Few things are held more dearly in the Canadian psyche than the distinct Canadian sense of humour. Yet, few people seem to know how it developed. Neil Ross tried to rectify this with his presentation "Nation of Irony Mongers: Roots of the Canadian Sense of Humour", made in front of the West Toronto Junction Historical Society last Thursday as a preview of a series of two-minute radio features that will be airing on the CBC in the coming weeks.

I was pleased to find Ross start with native humour.

Full article at the Way Out In The Margin  blog [link opens in new window]

UPDATE:

Neil Ross responds to the a comment, (blog technical glitch so we posted it here)

"How dare Ross attempt to relate the historical development of humour in this country without starting with First Nations humour? Doesn't he understand that any history of what we call Canada must start with the people who have been here for thousands of years -- as well as including their modern contributions.  Not only do we marginalise native people nationally but we ignore their humour as well.  Sickening . . ."  I guess its a case of dissed if you do and dissed if you don't.  In the first of my CBC radio vignettes running tomorrow on morning shows across the country I use a clip from Tom King's brilliant radio show The Dead Dog Cafe Comedy Hour as an example of modern Trickster comedy.  In my live presentation I explain how comic tales of the Sliammon First Nation prompted me to research the full continuum of Canadian humour.  I can't imagine attempting this project without including First Nations comedy and humour but always try to use the platform to point people to the real deal.  Suggest you check out Rez Dogs at: http://www.reclamationinfo.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=179