History of The Etobicoke Historical Society
The Etobicoke Historical Society was formed in May 1958 as an answer to a growing concern among Etobicoke citizens about the rapidly changing character of what was then the Township of Etobicoke, and the need to preserve our early history.
At a meeting of the Society on November 17, 1960, members voiced concern about the preservation of Montgomery’s Inn, at that time used by Kingsway Presbyterian Church who would soon be vacating the premises to join St. Giles.
Mrs. Lavonia Vivian and Herbert Cadwallader moved a motion that the Society recommend to the Township that the Inn be preserved as an historic site, the place where the first Council meetings were held.
An evaluation was obtained. Informal discussions were held with Township officials by Historical Society members and officials. Then Louis Mayzell, a speculative developer, stepped in with the idea of purchasing the Inn.
Alarmed that the only real link with the formation of the Township and its history would disappear, Society members took a deputation before Council to request the purchase of the property. Mrs. J. A. Gardner also appeared before Council, as a member of the Metropolitan Toronto Conservation Authority, recommending that the Inn be moved -- lock, stock, and barrel -- to Pioneer Village.
Society members argued that the Inn would lose its significance away from its original site, but Council turned thumbs down on the proposal to acquire the Inn with Township money.
Mustering up courage and fortified with zeal to save the Inn for Etobians, the Society decided to go it alone in trying to preserve the Inn. Mayzell, whose offer for the property had been accepted by Kingsway Presbyterian Church, extended first to the Borough, then to the Society, a proposal to turn over the property at cost. He also agreed to carry the cost of a mortgage for one year to give the Society an opportunity to carry out a public campaign for funds. So, in September 1962, the Society took title to the Inn, two-thirds of the Dundas Street frontage, and assumed a mortgage of $40,000.
Alas, not enough money was raised, and five Society members (Louis Mayzell, Robert Given & George S. Wood, plus likely Frank Longstaff and Donald Gunn) guaranteed the bank loan. By June 1965, the Society had prevailed on the Council to take over the Inn, and accepted a new offer which just covered accumulated taxes, bank interest, and outstanding principal. However, a stipulation is written into the title to the property that, should the Borough decide to dispose of the Inn, the Society has first opportunity to buy it for $15,000 (plus an inflation factor.)
When the Etobicoke Historical Board moved to refurnish the Inn, restored by the Borough as a replica of Thomas Montgomery’s Inn of the 1830s, the Society contributed many valuable articles which are now in use in the Inn. In addition, the Society donated an amount of over $6,000 to pay for the present furnishings of the dining room at the Inn. (The Borough removed the exterior stucco as a Centennial project in 1967.)
Today, the Etobicoke Historical Society continues to be an advocate for the preservation and education of history in the west end of Toronto. With a strong and active membership, the society has become one of the most progressive societies in Canada whose goal is to be a caretaker of the stories of our past, present, and future for all residents of Etobicoke, and beyond.
At a meeting of the Society on November 17, 1960, members voiced concern about the preservation of Montgomery’s Inn, at that time used by Kingsway Presbyterian Church who would soon be vacating the premises to join St. Giles.
Mrs. Lavonia Vivian and Herbert Cadwallader moved a motion that the Society recommend to the Township that the Inn be preserved as an historic site, the place where the first Council meetings were held.
An evaluation was obtained. Informal discussions were held with Township officials by Historical Society members and officials. Then Louis Mayzell, a speculative developer, stepped in with the idea of purchasing the Inn.
Alarmed that the only real link with the formation of the Township and its history would disappear, Society members took a deputation before Council to request the purchase of the property. Mrs. J. A. Gardner also appeared before Council, as a member of the Metropolitan Toronto Conservation Authority, recommending that the Inn be moved -- lock, stock, and barrel -- to Pioneer Village.
Society members argued that the Inn would lose its significance away from its original site, but Council turned thumbs down on the proposal to acquire the Inn with Township money.
Mustering up courage and fortified with zeal to save the Inn for Etobians, the Society decided to go it alone in trying to preserve the Inn. Mayzell, whose offer for the property had been accepted by Kingsway Presbyterian Church, extended first to the Borough, then to the Society, a proposal to turn over the property at cost. He also agreed to carry the cost of a mortgage for one year to give the Society an opportunity to carry out a public campaign for funds. So, in September 1962, the Society took title to the Inn, two-thirds of the Dundas Street frontage, and assumed a mortgage of $40,000.
Alas, not enough money was raised, and five Society members (Louis Mayzell, Robert Given & George S. Wood, plus likely Frank Longstaff and Donald Gunn) guaranteed the bank loan. By June 1965, the Society had prevailed on the Council to take over the Inn, and accepted a new offer which just covered accumulated taxes, bank interest, and outstanding principal. However, a stipulation is written into the title to the property that, should the Borough decide to dispose of the Inn, the Society has first opportunity to buy it for $15,000 (plus an inflation factor.)
When the Etobicoke Historical Board moved to refurnish the Inn, restored by the Borough as a replica of Thomas Montgomery’s Inn of the 1830s, the Society contributed many valuable articles which are now in use in the Inn. In addition, the Society donated an amount of over $6,000 to pay for the present furnishings of the dining room at the Inn. (The Borough removed the exterior stucco as a Centennial project in 1967.)
Today, the Etobicoke Historical Society continues to be an advocate for the preservation and education of history in the west end of Toronto. With a strong and active membership, the society has become one of the most progressive societies in Canada whose goal is to be a caretaker of the stories of our past, present, and future for all residents of Etobicoke, and beyond.