The Etobicoke Historical Society is always keen to preserve and share stories about Etobicoke’s past.
So, we were very happy to assist Montgomery’s Inn Museum in organizing “An Evening with the
Carters” on August 21st . Pictured above are Linda V. Carter, an actress, media personality, and
producer, and her brother Evan Carter, a comedian and storyteller. They are long-time residents of
Etobicoke. Their father, George Carter – a lawyer and the first Canadian-born black judge – moved
the family to Etobicoke in 1955. In a very engaging and often humorous presentation, Linda and
Evan shared personal and family stories, including many about growing up in Etobicoke. A large
audience at Montgomery's Inn and on Zoom greatly enjoyed this delightful evening with them.

The Etobicoke Historical Society (EHS), in partnership with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and La Société d’histoire de Toronto, is pleased to announce the redesign and rededication of the South Humber Monument (formerly known as the Brûlé Monument) located in South Humber Park.

The rededication ceremony is to be held on Saturday, September 9th, 2023, at 2pm. Chief R. Stacey Laforme, representatives of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, La Société d’histoire de Toronto, the Etobicoke Historical Society, and Ward 3, Etobicoke-Lakeshore Councillor Amber Morley, as well as other dignitaries, are expected to attend.

Due to space and logistical limitations, with the exception of media, the rededication ceremony will be by invitation only. The EHS encourages the public to visit the monument on their own or with the assistance of a self-guided tour package which will be available through the Etobicoke Historical Society in September. Information will be emailed to members and partners, and posted on our website, Facebook and Instagram pages.
  
For a transcript of the new monument text and background story of this collaboration, along with contact information and a location map, please see the EHS Humber Monument Press Kit.

After the Etobicoke Historical Society (EHS) was founded in 1958, one of its first accomplishments was to oppose and reverse a developer’s plan to demolish Montgomery’s Inn at the southeast corner of Islington Avenue and Dundas Street West. Today this building is an important City of Toronto Museum.

In continuing this tradition of advocating for the preservation of Etobicoke’s heritage, the Society’s Heritage Committee is on alert for threats to Etobicoke’s historic buildings. In 2020, EHS learned of a development threat to 4946 Dundas Street West - one of the oldest heritage structures in the Village of Islington that is today the home of the Fox and Fiddle.

The original and oldest part of the building was a frame Methodist Church built in 1843. It was later bricked and then purchased by the Township of Etobicoke to serve as the first Township Hall. In 1947, a major expansion occurred under Hanks and Irwin, Architects.  A second story was added to the 1843 building and large two-story additions were constructed at the rear and front. As urbanization intensified and expanded, Etobicoke opened a new Civic Centre at 399 The West Mall in 1958.

To protect the building as an integral part of Islington’s heritage landscape, the building was listed in 1979 on the City of Etobicoke’s Heritage Register under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act. The historic value of the building was further recognized in 2017 during a plaque unveiling by Heritage Toronto and The Etobicoke Historical Society. The plaque can be seen on the south side of the building facing Dundas Street West.

Amica Retirement Homes had purchased the property as part of a larger land parcel with plans to develop a large multi-unit retirement home. The plan proposed to largely demolish 4946 Dundas St West leaving only the front façade of the 1947 Township Hall intact. At a public meeting in October 2020, the EHS opposed any demolition to the heritage protected building and petitioned that the entire structure should remain.

In March 2022, Amica issued a revised plan which altered the impact of the development to retain the entire front 1947 Township Hall addition as well as a portion of the west wall that was the 1843 building. This ensured the visible heritage aspects of building would be preserved. The revised plan was approved the City.

​In May, EHS met for our 64th Annual General Meeting. With every AGM, we welcome new people and say goodbye to others.  This meeting was particularly bittersweet as this was James Geneau’s last AGM after almost 10 years as a member of the EHS Board.   
 
James joined the EHS Board in 2012 as President and his impact on the Society was immediate.  Under his stewardship, James was responsible for the digital transformation of the Society, this included the launch of our new website, implementation of an easy and user-friendly online portal that enhanced our membership outreach, established our online and social media presence on facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn, as well as launching our very successful and well-received virtual events.  James was President for 5 years and then stepped down to become a regular member of the Board for 4.5 years as our Marketing/Communications/Social Media guru.
 
We are sorry to say goodbye to James but thank him for his dedication to the Society and the incredible amount of work he achieved during his tenure on the Board.  While no longer living in Etobicoke, James is not forgotten. He has moved back closer to his original home on the East Coast and has already become involved in new projects and is very active with the local heritage society.  

​Last evening, the board of directors of the Etobicoke Historical Society unanimously agreed on the following resolution related to the current conflict in Ukraine.  
 
“The Board of Directors of the Etobicoke Historical Society expresses its unequivocal support for the ethnic Ukrainian people amid the ongoing invasion of their country by Russia.
 
The Board asserts that the Ukrainian people alone have the right to determine their future as an independent and sovereign state, including the preservation of their linguistic heritage and culture, and condemns all acts of violence that threaten the lives and liberty of the citizens of Ukraine.”
 
In addition, the society is asking its members and followers to help provide humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine as well assist in protecting the culture and rich history of its people and land.
 
To provide HUMANITARIAN AID, please visit one of the following local Etobicoke groups or international aid organizations:
 
Help Us Help is providing urgently requested medical supplies to volunteer medical units in Ukraine. We are working with trusted and established networks on the ground to distribute supplies to those who need it most. You can make a financial donation at their website or drop off supplies and donations at their temporary emergency support centre at 911 Islington Avenue, at the corner of Evans Avenue in Etobicoke next to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Headquarters. Donations can be dropped off from 10AM-7PM, Monday to Sunday (7 Days a Week). For online giving, you can DONATE HERE.
 
The Canadian Red Cross has set up a special Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. The support from donations made online could include preparedness, immediate and ongoing relief efforts, long-term recovery, resiliency, and other critical humanitarian activities as needs arise, both in Ukraine and surrounding countries, including supporting populations displaced. DONATE HERE
 
In addition to the humanitarian crisis, Ukraine’s symbols and artefacts of cultural and ethnic heritage are also at risk. Ukraine is home to seven Unesco world heritage sites, including the St Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv with its wonderful golden domes, the stunning Byzantine fresco of the Virgin Mary as well as the historic architectural showpiece at the centre of Lviv in the west. It is also home to countless museums of significance where the history of the Ukrainian people is being preserved and shared with the world.  Ukraine’s museums and historic sites are under threat of destruction by Russia.
 
To help with PRESERVING AND SUPPORTING AT-RISK HERITAGE & CULTURAL ARTEFACTS, the Museum Association recently provided an update. Many staff of these valuable museums and heritage sites have stayed behind to help protect them. The International Council of Museums (Icom) Polish branch has been asked by the Polish Ministry of Culture to coordinate evacuation plans for museum employees from Ukraine, and the Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews has sent two transports of goods to Ukraine. Financial support for these efforts is being channelled through the Polish Red Cross.