E-News update from Heritage Toronto

Below is a text-only version of a recent E-News update from Heritage Toronto.

[You can subscribe to the newsletter at the Heritage Toronto website.]

HERITAGE TORONTO E- NEWS

July 11, 2013

Hello there. We hope everyone survived the storm on Monday relatively unscathed. There are reports that this was as much, if not more rain than when Hurricane Hazel hit Toronto in 1954!

We’re half way through our Tour season. Not only do we have a series of family-friendly tours coming up, we are also offering some tours in French, Mandarin, Hindi and Korean! If you’re a speaker of one of these languages, or know friends that are, come and join us to hear about Toronto’s fascinating history in another language!

FAMILY TOURS

Searching for a family outing that is enjoyable and engaging? Heritage Toronto is pleased to offer three new tours designed especially for children and their families – sssh, the kids won’t know they’re learning about Toronto’s heritage as they’ll be having too much fun!

SATURDAY, JULY 13 – 10.00AM

SCULPTURES, STREETSCAPES AND STARS
Calling all history detectives! Explore the sights of Toronto’s Theatre District – theatres, parks, sculptures and neat buildings. Hear stories of what was here before the neighbourhood was transformed into a busy downtown centre. Click here for more information.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 – 10.30AM (PAID TOUR)
CRAZY CLOTH: A HIGH TECH TRIP INTO TORONTO HISTORY AND CULTURE
Back by popular demand, we’re putting on a second run of this tour
Kids – join this high-tech tour designed just for you and your family! Learn about the labs at OCAD (Ontario College of Art and Design), how the Great Fire of 1904 was started by a necktie, and much more. You’ll be using tablet computers on the go provided by the Textile Museum of Canada on this tour in and around Toronto’s Fashion District. Click here to register.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24 – 10.30AM
REMAKING TORONTO: ANIMALS AND OFFICE TOWERS IN THE DOWNTOWN CORE
Walk among Toronto’s skyscrapers and through their big, hidden back yards and visit the animals that ‘live’ there. Learn about the people and ideas that shaped the buildings and public art, the old city they replaced, and the new city they’ve helped to create. Click here for more information.

UPCOMING TOURS

We’re now into Heritage Toronto’s 19th year of neighbourhood tours! The tours are researched, designed and led by local historians, community groups and professionals. Heritage Toronto is able to offer these fantastic tours thanks to the support our Tours sponsor, TD Bank Group and the considerable time and effort of volunteers and staff – please consider paying what you can to help us cover costs.

SUNDAY, JULY 14 – 10:30 AM
GETTING AROUND DOWNTOWN IN THE AUTOMOBILE AGE
Ever wonder how cars transformed the city’s landscape? Or about the origins of the PATH system? Why did Toronto build Canada’s first subway under Yonge Street? Explore these changes and the ways we have traveled to and within the downtown over the past century. Click here for more information.

FRIDAY, JULY 19 – 7:00 PM
EXHIBITION PLACE AND THE BATTLE OF YORK, 1813
April 27, 1813 was a traumatic day in Toronto’s history. Over 2,000 American soldiers landed just west of present-day Exhibition Place. By 2:00 pm the battle was over and they had control of the town. Walk the route taken by the Americans as they advanced on Fort York and hear about the skirmishes and some of the new research discoveries about the battle. Click here for more information.

SATURDAY, JULY 20 – 1:30 PM
CABBAGETOWN – SOUTH
Cabbagetown, a residential area developed in the late 1800s, is rich in Victorian architecture – from workmen’s cottages to villas. Explore the architecture and hear stories of the people who have lived here. Click here for more information.

SUNDAY, JULY 21 – 10:00 AM
THE DON VALLEY AND EVERGREEN BRICK WORKS
For one hundred years, the Don Valley Brick Works supplied the clay and bricks that helped to build Toronto. In excavating the clay, one of North America’s most important geological sites was revealed. Discover the history of the site and the river valley that shelters it on this hike from Castle Frank Subway Station to the Brick Works. Hear about the work that has been done to preserve and transform this heritage industrial site into a community environmental centre that is a showcase for urban sustainability and green design. Click here for more information.

CLICK HERE to download the complete 2013 Heritage Toronto Tour brochure.

SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATE

Did you know that Heritage Toronto is on Twitter or Facebook? We love to keep our 8,000 Twitter followers and our 580 Facebook fans in the loop on upcoming events, heritage news and interesting stories and images.

Join us! Click here for our Twitter account and here for our Facebook page.

[Please check the links for Twitter and Facebook on the Heritage Toronto website.]

We are also running a survey via Twitter to find out a bit more about our followers – if you’re one of them, please complete it to be in to win 2 tickets to our popular boutique tour The Yorkville Music Scene of the 60s with Nicholas Jennings worth $40! Survey open until Tuesday, July 16. Click here to complete the survey.

HERITAGE TORONTO LECTURES AVAILABLE ONLINE!

Did you miss a lecture you wanted to attend? We’re happy to be able to make them available online, click below to check out the videos from the Bicentennial Lectures that took place in spring 2013!

Perceptions of 1812: Identity, Diversity, Memory with Dr Ross Fair

Candy, Cows and Commemoration: the Case of Laura Secord with Dr Cecilia Morgan
Loyal they remained? Loyalty, identity, and the War of 1812 in Upper Canada with Jane Errington

Lessons from the War of 1812: A Six Nations Perspective with Richard Hill
The Art and Science of Warfare during the War of 1812 with Major John Grodzinsk

To view other past lectures visit: http://heritagetoronto.org/past-lectures/

TELLING TORONTO’S STORIES

Speak Mandarin? Check out our Exhibition Place and the Battle of York tour on Friday, July 19 at 7pm led in English and Mandarin. Enjoy another story from one of Heritage Toronto’s youth writers from our Heritage Diversity Stories project !

Group photo of club members, 1991, taken after a performance on the basement stage at the Chinatown Centre on Spadina, south of Dundas. Credit: Hong Luck Kung Fu Club
Masters in Toronto: Hong Luck Kung Fu Club
Written by Catherine Quian

In 1974, what is now the Toronto District School Board decided to introduce the first heritage language class in the public school system. This initiative came as a result of the hard work and determination of some members of the Chinese community who recognized the retention of their language as an effective means of preserving their cultural heritage and identity. Their accomplishment reflected the size and influence of Toronto’s Chinese Community, and built on its deep roots in the history of this city.

The Hong Luck Kung Fu Club, located near the corner of Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street in the heart of Toronto’s Chinatown, is one of the oldest martial arts schools in Canada. Since it was established in 1961, the Club has offered traditional martial arts training, while at the same time showcasing Chinese culture. The Hong Luck Club originated from a small, tight knit group of Chinese men who felt the need to strengthen the Chinese community through training others in this ancient martial art. Today, the club is a primary heritage symbol within the Chinese community and beyond. Open to people of any culture, the club’s diverse students have represented well the building of the city’s inclusive environment. Click here to read more.

MEMBERS ONLY EVENT

We love our members and the support they offer Heritage Toronto! As a token of our thanks we like to offer exclusive Members Only events throughout the year. This is an opportunity to join us on special tours, experience unique sites and get into amazing closed to the public areas of heritage buildings!

We are putting on a special run of our Creating Toronto: The Story of the City In Ten Stops tonight led by Dr. Ross Fair, from Ryerson University and a Heritage Toronto Board Director.

Ever thought about becoming a member of Heritage Toronto? Our Members Only Events are another great reason to consider it! We have some awesome Members Only Events coming up! Find out more about becoming a member here.

ABOUT HERITAGE TORONTO

Heritage Toronto is a charitable arms-length agency of the City of Toronto established in 1949 to promote a greater appreciation for the city’s rich architectural, cultural, archaeological and natural heritage. Through partnerships with local community groups and volunteers, Heritage Toronto provides city-wide programs and services.

CONTACT US

Historic St Lawrence Hall, 157 King Street East, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, M5C 1G9.
Tel: 416-338-1339 / email@heritagetoronto.org / www.heritagetoronto.org