The guest speaker at the Society programme on October 25th, 2016 was Dr. Robert Galway (Orthopedic Surgeon, Geologist and Author) of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society.

He spoke about 16 early airfields in Toronto and showed many photographs that related to the fascinating history of early aviation in the GTA. He mentioned that when Charles Willard took off from Scarboro Beach Park on September 7th, 1909 that it was the 1st public flight in Canadian history. In 1915 Curtiss Aeroplanes and Motors Ltd. established Canada’s first aerodrome and flying school at Long Branch and it was managed by John M.D. McCurdy, Canada’s first aviator. He related an interesting story about Canada’s first airmail delivery that took place at the Leaside aerodrome in 1918. Even Scarborough’s ill-fated airfield that was run by the Imperial Flying Club and operated for only 2 days in May 1928 was mentioned.

The Scarborough Historical Society hosts programmes on the 4th Tuesday of each month from January to April and from September to November. All programmes begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Bendale Public Library and are free and open to the public.

-Toronto’s 1st airplane crash-1911-Donlands Farm, Todmorden Mills