Events
From our great Speaker's Nights featuring experts on local and national history to specialty event programming, our goal is to entertain and educate. Here is a sample of some of the events being held in the coming months. Come join us!
NOTE: OUR SPEAKER's NIGHT SERIES IS AN EXCLUSIVE EVENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE ETOBICOKE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND AS SUCH, THERE IS LIMITED SEATING. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A MEMBER, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
NOTE: OUR SPEAKER's NIGHT SERIES IS AN EXCLUSIVE EVENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE ETOBICOKE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND AS SUCH, THERE IS LIMITED SEATING. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A MEMBER, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
Dear EHS Members,
The City of Toronto has announced a list of facilities that would be closed due to COVID-19 which included the City Museums. You can learn more by CLICKING HERE.
As a result of the closure of Montgomery's Inn and also to support the City's directive to limit public gatherings, EHS will be moving our speaker's nights to online format until further notice.
Please visit our website regularly for updates on future speaker's nights and how they will be delivered. Existing EHS members will receive the detailed information via email to attend these online LIVE events below. To become a member and receive an invite, please CLICK HERE.
Thanks to everyone for your understanding.
Best Wishes,
The Etobicoke Historical Society
The City of Toronto has announced a list of facilities that would be closed due to COVID-19 which included the City Museums. You can learn more by CLICKING HERE.
As a result of the closure of Montgomery's Inn and also to support the City's directive to limit public gatherings, EHS will be moving our speaker's nights to online format until further notice.
Please visit our website regularly for updates on future speaker's nights and how they will be delivered. Existing EHS members will receive the detailed information via email to attend these online LIVE events below. To become a member and receive an invite, please CLICK HERE.
Thanks to everyone for your understanding.
Best Wishes,
The Etobicoke Historical Society
Thursday, July 15, 2021 - Summer History Series: Lost Mills of the Humber
The Humber River, a designated Canadian Heritage River, stretches over 126 kilometres and has a drop in elevation of over 350 metres, seven times greater than that of the Horseshoe Falls at Niagara. This natural drop made it an ideal choice for the development of mills. Enjoy this fascinating and informative history of the mills that were so vital to the growth of settlements and economy along the banks of the Humber River.
Mireille Macia is the President of EHS and has a strong interest in local history research particularly focusing on Etobicoke and West Toronto. Early in her professional career she worked as a museum exhibit researcher and as a librarian. She also sits on the board of Heritage York, a heritage society that manages historic Lambton House.
Start Time: 7:30pm
The Humber River, a designated Canadian Heritage River, stretches over 126 kilometres and has a drop in elevation of over 350 metres, seven times greater than that of the Horseshoe Falls at Niagara. This natural drop made it an ideal choice for the development of mills. Enjoy this fascinating and informative history of the mills that were so vital to the growth of settlements and economy along the banks of the Humber River.
Mireille Macia is the President of EHS and has a strong interest in local history research particularly focusing on Etobicoke and West Toronto. Early in her professional career she worked as a museum exhibit researcher and as a librarian. She also sits on the board of Heritage York, a heritage society that manages historic Lambton House.
Start Time: 7:30pm
Thursday, August 19, 2021 - Summer History Series: Lady Flora Eaton and "Canada's Royal Family"
Flora McCrae (1880-1970) from Omemee Ontario, near Peterborough, was a failed student nurse when she met and married John (later Sir John) Craig Eaton, the son and heir of department store magnate Timothy Eaton. Together they raised a family but tragically, Lady Flora became a widow at a very young age. Undaunted, she turned into the power behind the throne at Eaton’s, creating in-store restaurants, assisting Eaton employee organizations and many charities, and eventually promoting her son, John David Eaton, to the company presidency. During her lifetime, the Eaton family was regarded by many as “Canada’s Royal Family”. This is a story of tragedy and achievement, untold wealth and the glamour of a bygone age.
Richard Jordan is an EHS Board Member, having previously served as a Director from 1980 to 1996, including a two-year term as President. He also served two terms as a citizen member of the Etobicoke Historical Board in the 1980s. Richard graduated in Geography and Environmental Studies from York University and later contributed a local heritage column in the Toronto Star from 1984 to 1991 as well as feature articles in a number of genealogy and history magazines. Richard’s family genealogy book, Beyond the Great Pine Ridge was published in 2004 and a new book, Ernest D. Banting and Community Life in Weston 1921-1973 is being published this year. Richard is well known for his speaking engagements with historical societies and seniors groups.
Start Time: 7:30pm
Flora McCrae (1880-1970) from Omemee Ontario, near Peterborough, was a failed student nurse when she met and married John (later Sir John) Craig Eaton, the son and heir of department store magnate Timothy Eaton. Together they raised a family but tragically, Lady Flora became a widow at a very young age. Undaunted, she turned into the power behind the throne at Eaton’s, creating in-store restaurants, assisting Eaton employee organizations and many charities, and eventually promoting her son, John David Eaton, to the company presidency. During her lifetime, the Eaton family was regarded by many as “Canada’s Royal Family”. This is a story of tragedy and achievement, untold wealth and the glamour of a bygone age.
Richard Jordan is an EHS Board Member, having previously served as a Director from 1980 to 1996, including a two-year term as President. He also served two terms as a citizen member of the Etobicoke Historical Board in the 1980s. Richard graduated in Geography and Environmental Studies from York University and later contributed a local heritage column in the Toronto Star from 1984 to 1991 as well as feature articles in a number of genealogy and history magazines. Richard’s family genealogy book, Beyond the Great Pine Ridge was published in 2004 and a new book, Ernest D. Banting and Community Life in Weston 1921-1973 is being published this year. Richard is well known for his speaking engagements with historical societies and seniors groups.
Start Time: 7:30pm
Thursday, September 16, 2021 - Speaker's Night: The Missing Millionaire
Katie Daubs tells the story of the mysterious 1919 disappearance of Ambrose Small, the mercurial owner of the Grand Opera House in Toronto who had just closed a deal to sell his network of Ontario theatres, deposited a million-dollar cheque in his bank account, and then was never seen again. Everything about the sensational case would be called into question in the decades to come, including the motivations of his inner circle, his enemies, and the police who followed the trail across the continent, looking for answers in asylums, theatres, and the Pacific Northwest. Drawing on extensive research and her own interviews with the descendants of key figures, Katie weaves together a gripping narrative of what became the most "extraordinary unsolved mystery" of its time in a city undergoing immense social and cultural change.
Katie Daubs is a feature writer at the Toronto Star, where she has worked since 2009. She previously worked at the Ottawa Citizen after graduating from Carleton University. Her book, The Missing Millionaire, was shortlisted as one of five finalists for the 2020 Toronto Book Awards.
Start Time: 7:30pm ET
Katie Daubs tells the story of the mysterious 1919 disappearance of Ambrose Small, the mercurial owner of the Grand Opera House in Toronto who had just closed a deal to sell his network of Ontario theatres, deposited a million-dollar cheque in his bank account, and then was never seen again. Everything about the sensational case would be called into question in the decades to come, including the motivations of his inner circle, his enemies, and the police who followed the trail across the continent, looking for answers in asylums, theatres, and the Pacific Northwest. Drawing on extensive research and her own interviews with the descendants of key figures, Katie weaves together a gripping narrative of what became the most "extraordinary unsolved mystery" of its time in a city undergoing immense social and cultural change.
Katie Daubs is a feature writer at the Toronto Star, where she has worked since 2009. She previously worked at the Ottawa Citizen after graduating from Carleton University. Her book, The Missing Millionaire, was shortlisted as one of five finalists for the 2020 Toronto Book Awards.
Start Time: 7:30pm ET
Thursday, October 21, 2021 - Speaker's Night: The Life and Work of William Thomas
William Thomas was one of the most prolific architects of early Toronto yet not many today are familiar with his name or his architectural legacy. Many of his buildings still stand such as St. Michael’s Cathedral, St. Lawrence Hall and the Don Jail. Other notable landmarks by Thomas include the District Court House in Niagara-On-the Lake and The Brock Monument at Queenston Heights. Richard Fiennes-Clinton will relate how Thomas’ life and work was interwoven with the turbulent religious and racial disparity of mid-nineteenth century Toronto.
Richard Fiennes-Clinton is one of Toronto's most active historians who has been giving walking tours of Toronto's history since 1997. As owner of Muddy York Walking Tours, he has entertained and educated many native Torontonians and visitors alike with tales of the people and places that defined Toronto. In 2015, Richard released his first book, Muddy York: A History of Toronto Until 1834.
Start Time: 7:30pm ET
William Thomas was one of the most prolific architects of early Toronto yet not many today are familiar with his name or his architectural legacy. Many of his buildings still stand such as St. Michael’s Cathedral, St. Lawrence Hall and the Don Jail. Other notable landmarks by Thomas include the District Court House in Niagara-On-the Lake and The Brock Monument at Queenston Heights. Richard Fiennes-Clinton will relate how Thomas’ life and work was interwoven with the turbulent religious and racial disparity of mid-nineteenth century Toronto.
Richard Fiennes-Clinton is one of Toronto's most active historians who has been giving walking tours of Toronto's history since 1997. As owner of Muddy York Walking Tours, he has entertained and educated many native Torontonians and visitors alike with tales of the people and places that defined Toronto. In 2015, Richard released his first book, Muddy York: A History of Toronto Until 1834.
Start Time: 7:30pm ET
Thursday, November 18, 2021 - Speaker's Night: The Chinese in Toronto - Then and Now.
After the completion of the CPR railway in 1885, Chinese labourers began moving eastwards from British Columbia. In 1894, the Chinese population in Toronto numbered fifty. Today, over half a million Chinese live in the Greater Toronto Area. Archival and current-day photographs will illustrate the lives of the Chinese community, including the market gardeners who worked the land surrounding Montgomery’s Inn and the Humber River.
Arlene Chan, a Chinatown historian and author, has written seven books about the history, culture, and traditions of the Chinese in Canada, some shortlisted for the Ontario Speaker’s Book Award, Heritage Toronto Book Award, Silver Birch Award, and Red Cedar Award. Her work has been recognized with the Heritage Toronto Special Achievement Award, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award, and Woman of Distinction Award. Arlene serves as the president of the Jean Lumb Foundation and advisor for Myseum of Toronto, Ontario Infrastructure’s Heritage Interpretation Working Group, and the Toronto Public Library’s Chinese Canadian Archive.
Start Time: 7:30pm ET
After the completion of the CPR railway in 1885, Chinese labourers began moving eastwards from British Columbia. In 1894, the Chinese population in Toronto numbered fifty. Today, over half a million Chinese live in the Greater Toronto Area. Archival and current-day photographs will illustrate the lives of the Chinese community, including the market gardeners who worked the land surrounding Montgomery’s Inn and the Humber River.
Arlene Chan, a Chinatown historian and author, has written seven books about the history, culture, and traditions of the Chinese in Canada, some shortlisted for the Ontario Speaker’s Book Award, Heritage Toronto Book Award, Silver Birch Award, and Red Cedar Award. Her work has been recognized with the Heritage Toronto Special Achievement Award, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award, and Woman of Distinction Award. Arlene serves as the president of the Jean Lumb Foundation and advisor for Myseum of Toronto, Ontario Infrastructure’s Heritage Interpretation Working Group, and the Toronto Public Library’s Chinese Canadian Archive.
Start Time: 7:30pm ET