Category Archives: Heritage Events

An article on heritage based events or exhibits taking place in the Community of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada

Feb. 27- Mar. 1: Heritage Showcase at Scarborough Town Centre

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Scarborough Heritage Showcase

Article by Rick Schofield

Heritage Day or Family Day is the third Monday of February, and Heritage Week gives us a chance to look back at our community’s history. Unfortunately, Sears court was not available that week. However, to mark the occasion, our annual Heritage Showcase display was set up in the Scarborough Town Centre at Sears Court on the weekend of Feb. 27-March 1st, 2015.

Scarborough’s documented history is barely 200 years old, yet local heritage is something on which we can all reflect, regardless of our ancestral roots.

During the post war boom, developers quickly transformed open farmland into streets of closely packed houses, commercial buildings and industry. By 1955, the population had surpassed 100,000 and Scarborough had become one of the federated municipalities of Metropolitan Toronto. Aerial photographs from the Scarborough Archives dating from 1949-1970s illustrate the rapid transformation of the landscape and were on display.

In 1998, with a population of more than half a million, municipal government was amalgamated into a new City of Toronto but community names such as Scarborough, Agincourt, Highland Creek and West Hill are still recognized Our municipal government has changed, but the Scarborough community names still survive.
As we celebrate Heritage Week 2015, we reflect briefly upon the days when early settlers set out to clear the land and build homes for their families.

Once again, the Scarborough Historical Society and Archives set up a Heritage Showcase display at Sears Court in the Scarborough Town Centre, during regular shopping centre hours from Friday, Feb. 27 to Sunday, March 1st, 2015.
Archives’ volunteers were on hand to meet the general public, answer questions about our heritage and display the archives’ extensive photo collection for all to view.

Residents were invited to come look at the hundreds of post war aerial photographs showing the development of Scarborough and look through community photo albums filled with street scenes and historic landmarks.

Those interested in Scarborough’s history can also visit our Facebook page: “Scarborough, Looking Back“

In the news: Highland Creek Heritage Festival – June 8, 2013

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Miller Lash house, Highland Creek valley. Photo: Jeremy Hopkin

Miller Lash House, Highland Creek valley.   Photo: Jeremy Hopkin

100 Years in the “Valley” – The Miller Lash House Celebration!
Text excerpt from The Villager newspaper, March / April 2013:

The University of Toronto Scarborough celebrates 100 years of history in the community. The historic Miller Lash House was built in 1913 to be the summer home of Miller Lash, Toronto lawyer and industrialist, and his family. Located in the scenic Rouge River Valley, the house was enjoyed by the family for many years. Subsequently it was purchased by the University in 1963 and became the residence for the first few Principals of the University of Toronto Scarborough. In 2002 the University decided to transform the house into a meeting and event venue, and as such it has become one of Toronto’s popular choices to host weddings, events and meetings.

The University wants to recognize this historic event on campus and hold a day of celebration for not only the campus community but to invite our friends and neighbours from the surrounding communities to join in on the fun. To that end we have begun working with the organizers of the Highland Creek Heritage Day Festival. The date is Saturday, June 8th, please mark it in your calendars and plan to come down and see the House and take part in the Festival.

The Miller Lash 100th Anniversary Celebration will include many of the popular aspects of Heritage Days and plans to offer a festival of fun and entertainment while taking some trips down memory lane and acknowledging the great history that is very much a part of this community. Stay tuned for further updates as plans are finalized and we hope to see you “In The Valley” on June 8th…

More information:

– Highland Creek Heritage Festival
– Miller Lash House

– Highland Creek historical image gallery

Scarborough Walk of Fame honours S.H.S. members

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Walk Of Fame 2013
Two prominent members of the Scarborough Historical Society have been recognized for their lifelong dedication to honouring the heritage of Scarborough!

Lionel Purcell & Richard Schofield were awarded among inductees of the 2013 Scarborough Walk Of Fame at a special ceremony which took place at the Scarborough Town Centre.

In the news: Future of The Guild property

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13-C-2.1 Guild Inn / Bickford house

*Excerpt from The Scarborough Mirror, Thursday, April 4, 2013
Article by Mike Adler

“Group Holds meeting on Guild’s future
‘Whole park thinking’ sought by Friends of the Guild Park and Gardens

“Realizing the potential of Guild Park requires a new vision for the entire Guild property, says a group hosting a meeting on the subject next week.

Friends of the Guild Park and Gardens wants to use “whole park thinking” to enhance the park, 88 acres on the Scarborough Bluffs once owned by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority but managed by the City of Toronto.

ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY

The land contains architectural fragments of Toronto buildings which can claim national importance, but the park itself has no drinking fountain or permanent public washroom, said John Mason, a Friends member.

Remnants of the 1919 Bank of Toronto building (left) were saved by Spencer Clark when demolished in 1966. The parts were reconstructed in 1981 as a Greek Theatre, one of the several architectural remnants that populate the Guild gardens.

Remnants of the 1919 Bank of Toronto building (left) were saved by Spencer Clark when demolished in 1966. The parts were integrated in 1981 to form a classic Greek Theatre, one of many architectural salvage pieces that still populate the beautiful Guild gardens.

The Guild Inn, formerly a private home and centre of an arts colony, has been shuttered for more than a decade, though the city is making a third attempt at finding a private partner who will restore or replace the building.

The new Friends group can meanwhile start working on ideas for the property that can complement work other local organizations, the Guildwood Village Community Association and Guild Renaissance Group, have done on the park’s behalf, Mason said. “It’s got to be used more effectively than it’s being used now.”

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS

The Friends are asking residents to bring questions and comments about the park to Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church at Guildwood Parkway and Livingston Road for the meeting at 7 p.m. next Thursday, April 11. Speakers will include Dave Harvey, founder and executive director of Park People, an alliance of volunteers with similar groups who “work cooperatively together to make our parks the best they can possibly be.”

The Guild, still the annual site of performances and an annual arts festival, may see a variety of improvements if the city decides this summer to partner with Dynamic Hospitality and Entertainment Group, a company expected to bid next month to operate a restaurant where the Inn now stands.

The city has for years planned additional investments in the park’s “cultural precinct” which are worth millions, and Paul Ainslie, the local city councillor, has also proposed replacing the Toronto Public Library’s Guildwood branch with a new library building at the park.

Residents of the surrounding Guildwood subdivision are applying to have the Guild recognized as a national historic site and students from nearby Sir Wilfred Laurier Collegiate almost finished supporting research for Heritage Canada, Mason said.

More about the group is posted on www.facebook.com/GuildPark…”