Doors Open 2013 - May 25 & 26
Begun in the year 2000, this year marks the 14th annual Doors Open Toronto
City residents and visitors get a weekend to take a peek behind the doors of over 150 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings across the city on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26, 2013.
Theme this year is entitled 'Creators, Makers and Innovators' featuring many older buildings that have been redesigned, re-invented and re-purposed into modern 21st century spaces that host collaborative teams of imaginative people who are creating new ways of thinking, making and doing.
Previous Years
Doors Open Toronto 2009
2009 is the 10th Anniversary for Doors Open Toronto
Saturday May 23, 2009 / Sunday May 24, 2009
175 buildings of architectural, historic, cultural and/or social significance open their doors to the public. Admission is free.
The Buildings to Visit Page on the City's website lists every location.
TheStar.com/DoorsOpen - The Toronto Star is an official sponsor of this year's Doors Open, see their official page.
SUNDAY MAY 24 2009:
On Saturday, people waited four hours in line to get into the Don Jail during the first day of Doors Open but people still found it worth while. The Don Jail will be OPEN for public tours through the summer for $20.00, but since you can't wait that long, watch this video of the inside on The Don instead: HD: A Tour Inside Toronto's Don Jail. Here are a few recommendations with Day Two of Doors Open 2009.
RECOMMENDATIONS for Sunday . . .
- City Hall - Observation Deck, 25th Floor, East Tower ( NO line ups!!! and one of the best views of the city! )
- Old City Hall - 60 Queen Street West
- Carlu - 444 Yonge Street
- Regent Park Revitalization - first new building, 246 Sackville Street
- Textile Museum of Canada - 55 Centre Avenue, south of Dundas Street
- Exhibition Place - Horse Palace - Green Roof, 15 Nova Scotia Ave
Doors Open on the go
http://Scrolling.TO brings the DoorsOpenScroller, a free, unofficial guide to Doors Open Toronto 2009 to your mobile phone, BlackBerry™, Apple iPhone™ and Apple iPod Touch™.
DoorsOpenScroller enhances the Doors Open Toronto experience for first-time participants, families and Doors Open veterans alike,
Featuring a complete Doors Open 2009 building guide withvenue locations instantly mapped on Google Maps and one-click access to call any venues, you won't want to be without DoorsOpenScroller this weekend, All on your phone. All on the go. http://Scrolling.TO
Planning Your Doors Open Weekend
Doors Open banner on the wall of Masjid Toronto at 168 Dundas Street West. 2009 is the second year Masjid Toronto will have their Doors Open. 175 is a lot of locations and at best you may be able to get in maybe a dozen over the weekend, with line-ups and travel distance between sites.
Here are links to other people's recommendations:
- Doors Open Toronto 2009 - BlogTO
- Architectural Riches Open Their Doors - Torontoist
- Don Jail tour redux - Spacing
- Doors Open Ontario's recommendations
- Doors Open Preview: Toronto's Top 5 BILFs - Eye Weekly
- Sites Unseen - The Globe and Mail
Your Recommendations...
Lit City: Where books meet buildings
More than 30 Doors Open Toronto venues host free Lit City events: author readings, walks, exhibits and more. Here are some highlights. For complete listings, visit http://toronto.ca/litcity.
- Lit City listings at Toronto Star
ALLAN GARDENS
May 23, 2-3 p.m. Andrew Larson and Irene Luxbacher with The Imaginary Garden. Reading and crafts for kids.
May 24, 2-2:30 p.m. Martha Baillie reads from The Incident Report (fiction).
CANADA'S NATIONAL BALLET SCHOOL
May 24, 11-11:30 a.m. Linda Maybarduk reads from James the Dancing Dog. 11:30-12 p.m. Cary Fagan reads from Beyond the Dance: A Ballerina's Life. 12-12:30 p.m. Norma Sue Fisher-Stitt reads from Ballet Class: A History of Canada's National Ballet School. 12:30-1 p.m. Veronica Tennant reads from On Stage Please.
CANSTAGE BERKLEY STREET
May 24, 11 a.m., 1 & 3 p.m. Nicolas Billon reads from Butcher (play), set in a Toronto police station.
CHAPEL OF ST. JAMES-THE-LESS
May 24, 2-2:30 p.m. Charlie Wilkins reads from his memoir In the Land of Long Fingernails.
DISTILLERY DISTRICT: SCALE
TANK LOFT
May 24, 12-12:30 p.m. Sally Gibson reads from Toronto's Distillery District: History by the Lake. 12:30-1 p.m. Anne Hume reads from Against All Disaster set in 1837. 1-1:30 p.m. Novelist Katherine Govier reads from Creation. 1:30-2 p.m. Christopher Andreae reads from Toronto: A Short Illustrated History of Its First 12,000 Years. 2-2:30 p.m. Mystery writer Maureen Jennings reads from the Murdoch Series set in Victorian Toronto.
DRAKE HOTEL
May 23, 1-2 p.m. Poet Catherine Graham reads from The Red Element, set in west Toronto. 2-3 p.m. Pat Capponi reads from The Corpse Will Keep, set in Parkdale and Rosedale. 3-4 p.m. Novelist Russell Smith reads from Crazy Girl, set in downtown Toronto and West Queen West.
FACTORY THEATRE
May 23, 1-1:30 p.m. Playwright Andrew Moodie reads from Riot. 3-3:30 p.m. Andrew Moodie reads from Toronto the Good.
May 24, 1-2:15 p.m. (reading and walk in Little Portugal) Anthony De Sa reads from Barnacle Love.
LORRAINE KIMSA THEATRE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
May 23, 11 & Noon. Emil Sher reads from Hana's Suitcase. Pamela Mordecai reads from El Numero Uno (play), based on a Caribbean tale.
MCARTHUR & CO. PUBLISHING
May 23 & 24, 2-3 p.m. Greg Gatenby, author, Toronto: A Literary Guide and/or Barry Callaghan, author of recent novel, Beside Still Waters.
OLD CITY HALL
May 23 & 24, 1, 2 & 3 p.m. Robert Rotenberg reads from bestseller Old City Hall.
OSGOODE HALL
May 23, 3-3:30 p.m. Jeffrey Miller reads from Murder at Osgoode Hall.
May 24, 3-3:30 p.m. John McFetridge reads from Everyone Knows This Is Nowhere.
ST. JAMES' CATHEDRAL
May 24, 2-2:30 p.m. Novelist Austin Clarke reads from More.
TODMORDEN MILLS
May 23, 2-3 p.m. Novelist Paul Quarrington reads from The Ravine. Plus a ravine walk.
TORONTO PUBLIC LIBRARY: ANNETTE STREET
May 23, 2-3:15 p.m. Judi Coburn reads from The Shacklands. Plus a walk in the Junction
TPL: CITY HALL BRANCH
May 24, 2-5 p.m. Readings by past winners of the Toronto Book Award.
TPL: DEER PARK*
May 23, 1-2:45 p.m. Wayne Reeves (co-editor, HtO) leads a walk into the Vale of Avoca ravine and Rosehill Reservoir. Maggie Helwig reads from Girls Fall Down (fiction), 2 p.m., David Balfour Park. (*Not an official Doors Open site.)
TPL: DUFFERIN/ST.CLAIR
May 24, 2-2:30 p.m. Poet Gianna Patriarca reads from Italian Women and Other Tragedies.
TPL: LILLIAN H. SMITH
May 23. Three young-adult fiction works set in Kensington Market (plus a 1 p.m. market walk): 11-11:30 a.m. Jennifer Cowan reads from earthgirl. 12-12:30 p.m. Vivian Meyer reads from Bottom Bracket. 12:30-1 p.m. Ellen S. Jaffe reads from Feast of Lights.
May 24, 2-2:30 p.m. Bernice Eisenstein reads from I Was a Child of Holocaust Survivors (graphic memoir with Kensington setting). 3-3:30 p.m. Barry Callaghan reads from Between Trains, short stories evoking Spadina Ave. and Kensington Market.
TPL: S. WALTER STEWART
May 24, 2-2:30 p.m. Vincent Lam reads from his prize-winning Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures near Toronto East General Hospital where he works as emergency-room physician.
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO: HART HOUSE
May 23, 2-2:30 p.m. Novelist Jack McLeod reads from Uproar.
May 24, 2-2:30 p.m. Poet Maureen Hynes reads from Harm's Way. 2:30-3 p.m. Poet Susan Helwig reads from Pink Purse Girl and Catch the Sweet.
UNION STATION
May 23 & 24, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Diaspora Dialogues presents readings by playwright Michael Healey, Howard Akler (The City Man), Joe Fiorito (Union Station: Stories of the New Toronto) and others. Plus spontaneous hello/goodbye scenes. Visit http://diasporadialogues.com.
Complete Doors Open Toronto 2009 Listing
Bracketed numbers and letters refer to points on the Toronto Star's Doors Opens map (PDF).
KEY TO BUILDINGS
| LIT: | Lit City venue | NHS: | National Historic Site |
| K: | Kids' activities | W: | Washrooms |
| D: | Disabled access | (D): | Partial disabled access |
| P: | Free parking nearby | $P: | Metered or paid parking nearby |
| R: | Refreshments or paid food | LA: | Check last admission time on website |
| TO175: | Building predates 1834 | - |
1 401 Richmond (10A)
401 Richmond St. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Originally the Macdonald Manufacturing Co., now home to cultural producers and micro enterprises. Guided tour 1 p.m. Sat. & Sun. of window restoration demo and roof garden. (D) W R $P K LIT
2 Albany Club (11B)
91 King St. E.; Sat: 11 to 4 Sun: NOT OPEN
Guided tours of one of the oldest political clubs in Canada every half hour. (D) LA
3 Allan Gardens (8B)
19 Horticultural Ave.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Tours of park and greenhouses, family programs on environmental stewardship, storytelling, author readings. D K W LA P LIT
4 Anshei Minsk Synagogue (8A)
10 St. Andrew St.; Sat: 1 to 5 Sun: 10:30 to 4
This Kensington Market synagogue offers daily and holiday prayer services. The architecture of a traditional Eastern European synagogue. Guided tours. R $P W
5 Applewood: Shaver
Homestead (3A)
450 The West Mall; Sat: Not open Sun: 10 to 5
Birthplace of James Shaver Woodsworth, leading Canadian social reformer, humanitarian, Methodist minister and founding member of NDP's precursor, the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation. Book sale. (D) W (no disabled access to washrooms) P K R LA
6 Arts and Letters Club, The (8A)
14 Elm St.; Sat: NOT OPEN Sun: 10 to 4
Self-guided tours, Group of Seven paintings. Margaret McBurney reads The Great Adventure, 100 Years at the Arts & Letters Club. Other readings by members. W D R $P LA NHS LIT
Artscape Wychwood Barns (3A)
601 Christie St.
7 Theatre Direct's Loop Centre for Lively Arts & Learning
Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Tour the former historic Wychwood Car Barns, now housing arts and environmental organizations. Multimedia exhibition. D $P P W K LA
8 Community Gallery
Sat & Sun: 10 to 4
Formerly the TTC's Wychwood streetcar repair and staging facility, now a space for art shows and community use. D W $P P LA
9 The Stop's Green Barn (Barn 4)
Sat: 10 to 4 Sun: NOT OPEN
Tour the sustainable food production and education centre for local food in former streetcar barns. Market: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. D $P P W LA
10 BAPS Shri Swaminarayan
Mandir (1A)
61 Claireville Dr. (Finch Ave. W. and Hwy. 427); Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Richly hand-carved wooden courtyard opens into a magnificent foyer with soaring wood columns and panels. In the temple, see architecture created from 24,000 pieces of hand-carved stone and marble. D P R W K
11 Beach Walking Tours (4B)
2161 Queen St. E. (at the Beaches Branch Toronto Public Library); Sat: Tours at 10 to noon and 1 to 3 Sun: NOT OPEN
Gene Domagala, Beach historian, leads walking tours of Beaches public library designed by Eden Smith, examples of Beach architecture, including homes, businesses, Glen Manor Park, Glen Stewart Ravine, ending at R.C. Harris Water Filtration (no access). W
12 Black Creek Pioneer
Village (1A)
1000 Murray Ross Parkway; Sat & Sun: 11 to 5
More than 40 restored buildings reflecting life in rural Ontario in the 1860s. Includes farm and live animals. Demos by guides in period dress. Self-guided tours.
W (D) $P R K LA TO175
13 Bob Rumball Centre
for the Deaf and The Manor (3B)
2395 Bayview Ave.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: NOT OPEN
First comprehensive community centre for the deaf in the world. Tour the 1929 Tudor Revival Manor. Workshops on American Sign Language and deaf culture. Learn to communicate with people who are both deaf and blind.
W D P K LA
14 Campbell House Museum (9A)
160 Queen St. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Built for Judge William Campbell, moved to its current site in 1972. Daguerreotypes (the first publicly available photographs) on display as part of Contact photography festival.
W (D) R K LA TO175
15 Canada's National Ballet School (7B)
400 Jarvis St.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 1
Guided tour of historical buildings, now offices, boardroom and classrooms, the Betty Oliphant Theatre, studios with classes underway and the school's wardrobe facility. K W R LIT LA
16 Canada Life (9A)
330 University Ave.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
This neoclassical skyscraper was the tallest building on University Ave. when completed in 1931. Great view from the glass-enclosed Tower Room on the 17th floor. Self-guided tour. (D) (not to 17th floor) W LA
17 Canada Permanent
Building (10A)
320 Bay St.; Sat & Sun: noon to 5
Award-winning restoration of the Art Deco Banking Hall in 2001. Canadian symbols of wheat sheaves and fleurs-de-lys on the Corinthian columns. Grand Romanesque entrance features a coffered vault flanked by fluted pilasters. D LA
18 Canadian Blood Services,
Central Ontario (8A)
67 College St.; Sat: NOT OPEN Sun: 10 to 5
One of the original sites of Sick Kids Hospital, known as "Victoria Hospital for Sick Children." Now a state-of-the-art laboratory and research space. D W
19 Canadian Film Centre:
Windfields Estate (2B)
2489 Bayview Ave.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: Not open
Guided and self-guided tours of the former home of Canadian philanthropist and entrepreneur Edward Plunket Taylor. See Canada's most creative ideas and voices in film, television and new media. (D) P R W
20 Canadian Music Centre: Chalmers House (6A)
20 St. Joseph St.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: NOT OPEN
See score archive containing master scores and original works. Composer/cellist Kye Marshall presents "Nine Poets," 1 and 3:30 p.m. All-day "Toronto listening party" using audio recordings and scores of music inspired by Toronto writers and poets. D W LIT $P
21 Canadian Stage Company: Berkeley Street Theatre (11B)
26 Berkeley St.; Sat: NOT OPEN Sun: 10 to 5
Guided tour of lobbies, wardrobe room and prop shop. Playwright readings. (D) W LIT
22 Canon Theatre (9B)
265 Yonge St.; Sat & Sun: 9 to noon
Built in 1920 as a combination vaudeville and motion picture theatre. Tours. (D) W
23 CARLU @ College Park (8A)
444 College St.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Designed by French architect Jacques Carlu, one of the world's best surviving examples of the Art Moderne Period. Concert Hall featured past performers Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington. D $P NHS W R LA
24 Casa Loma: Stables and
Potting Shed (3A)
328 Walmer Rd.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 3
The Stables housed pedigree horses owned by Sir Henry Pellatt, one of Edwardian Canada's wealthiest men. (D) $P K R
25 CBC: Canadian Broadcasting Centre (11A)
250 Front St. W.; Sat: 10 to 4 Sun: NOT OPEN
Meet personalities from radio, sports, news and drama programs (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.). Tour The Hour studio, radio drama studio, mobile truck, Sports Weekend set and Glenn Gould Studio. *Last tours leave at 3:30 p.m.
D W R $P K LA
26 Cedar Ridge Creative
Centre (3B)
225 Confederation Dr.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 4
Overlooking Highland Creek, this Arts and Crafts-style mansion was originally known as Uplands. Now an arts centre and gallery. Self-guided tours. D W P R K LA
27 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Historic Walls (4A)
1001 Queen St. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
In 1860, the southern section of the CAMH historical wall was built by unpaid patient labourers at the then Provincial Lunatic Asylum. Guided tours every hour on the hour, 10 to 4, at Queen and Ossington. W D $P K LA LIT
28 Centre for Iranian Studies
in Toronto (2A)
290 Sheppard Ave. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Guided tours, large collection of books about Iran, artwork, calligraphy and musical performance. P W R K
29 Chapel of St. James-the-Less/ St. James' Cemetery
and Crematorium (6B)
635 Parliament St.; Sat & Sun: 1 to 4
Guided tours of chapel and historic burial sites in Toronto's oldest established cemetery. Author reading. (D) W P R LA NHS LIT
30 Chinese Cultural Centre
of Greater Toronto (2B)
5183 Sheppard Ave. E.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Cultural complex features 600-seat theatre. Interior finishes inspired by traditional Chinese fine arts of architecture, gardens, paintings, ceramics and artifacts, and by the five essential elements: metal, wood, water, fire and earth.
D P W LA
31 Church of the Holy Trinity (9A)
19 Trinity Sq. (west side Eaton Centre); Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: 1 to 5
Tours and organ performances. Sat, 1 p.m.: Taddle Creek Fiddlers play Irish and Scottish folk tunes from the 1800s. D W K LA
32 Church of the Redeemer (5A)
162 Bloor St. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Tours, children's activities. Join regular worship services Sun. at 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. $P D W K
33 City Hall: Doors Open Toronto weekend headquarters (9A)
100 Queen St. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Self-guided tours of rotunda, council chambers, mayor's office, observation deck, roof and Nathan Phillips Square. Garden Club of Toronto floral installation honouring Toronto 175.
D W $P LA
34 City of Toronto Archives (3A)
255 Spadina Rd.; Sat: 10 to 4 Sun: NOT OPEN
View photographs that inspired Michael Ondaatje's In the Skin of a Lion and Michael Redhill's Consolation. See images from "Toronto's Visual Legacy: Official City Photography from 1856 to the Present." P $P D W LIT
35 Coach House Press (6A)
401 Huron St., rear, on bpNichol Lane; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Guided tour. Master printer Stan Bevington demonstrates how books are printed on Heidelberg press; lesson in letterpress printing on Vandercook. W K LA LIT
36 Colborne Lodge Museum (4A)
Colborne Lodge Dr. (south end of High Park); Sat & Sun: noon to 4
Guided 45-minute tours every 20 minutes from noon to 3:40 p.m. (D) W P K LA
37 Commerce Court North (11A)
25 King St. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Tallest building in the Commonwealth until 1962. Self-guided tour of banking hall.
D W $P LA
38 Congregation Knesseth
Israel (3A)
56 Maria St.; Sat: NOT OPEN Sun: 10 to 5
Known as "The Junction Shul," this red brick building features a traditionally elegant and decorative Eastern European interior. Guided tours. W
39 Courtyard House (3A)
2087 Davenport Rd.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
"Art in a Courtyard House" exhibition. This private residence is used as a space where art and architecture are combined. Artwork crafted by local artists. (D) P LA
40 Design Exchange (former
Toronto Stock Exchange) (11A)
234 Bay St.; Sat: NOT OPEN Sun: 10 to 5
A blend of old and new spaces. Tour ground floor, grand staircase and restored trading floor with murals by Charles Comfort. Exhibit "What Has Architecture Done for You Lately?" (D) W $P K LA
Distillery Historic District (4B)
55 Mill St.
41 Deaf Culture Centre
Building 5, Suite 101; Sat: 11 to 5 Sun: 12 to 5
Facility designed to celebrate the diversity and culture of deaf people in Canada. Architect tours and talks. D $P K NHS LA
42 Kiln Building
Building 36; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
See kiln furnace, storage vault and a long fireproof barrel vault used to store whisky.
W (D) $P LA NHS
43 Rack House D
Building 42; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Usually off-limits, this is the largest barrel storage facility at the Distillery, once used to house thousands of barrels of whiskey for aging. One of the last unrestored buildings on site.
(D) W $P LA NHS
44 Scale Tank Loft
Sat: NOT OPEN Sun: 10 to 5
Encounter three rare Victorian industrial artifacts: huge platform scales, each capable of weighing 60,000 pounds of alcohol. Lit City readings, noon to 2:30. $P W LA LIT NHS
45 Don Jail (4B)
550 Gerrard St. E.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Half-hour guided tours of 1860s jail. The only fully public opportunity before renovations by Bridgepoint Health. Expect lineups. W R LA
46 Don Valley Brick Works (3B)
550 Bayview Ave.; Sat: 10 to 2 Sun: 10 to 4
Farmers' market and family activities. Tales of Toronto by storytellers and First Nations ceremonies. Shuttle bus from Broadview station. W $P (D) R K LA
47 Drake Hotel (4A)
1150 Queen St. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Guided tours of the restored Hotel containing cultural and architectural elements. Author readings. (D) R W LIT
48 Elgin and Winter Garden
Theatre Centre (9B)
189 Yonge St.; Sat & Sun: Tour at 10
Guided one-hour tour both days. Visitors will not be able to join tour already in progress. Not suitable for children under 5. D W $P NHS
49 Enoch Turner
Schoolhouse (10B)
106 Trinity St.; Sat: NOT OPEN Sun: 10 to 5
Gothic Revival one-room schoolhouse established by Enoch Turner, a wealthy local brewer, one of the oldest schools in Toronto and the city's first free school. D W K LA
Exhibition Place (4A)
50 Horse Palace: Green Roof
15 Nova Scotia Ave.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 4
Guided tours of the green roof (a 2,500 square foot "meadow" and the photovoltaic power generation plant). No children under 13 (unless a babe in arms); waiver must be signed.
(D) W $P LA
51 Horse Palace: Riding Academy
15 Nova Scotia Ave.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Constructed in 1932 for horses during the C.N.E. and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Meet school horses and miniature farm animals. Tours and riding demos. $P D K W
52 Horse Palace: Toronto Animal
Services
140 Princes' Blvd.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Self-guided tours. Children meet Canine Cody, pick up tips on training your pet or perhaps adopt one of the pets looking for a new home. $P D K W
53 Horse Palace: Toronto Police
Mounted Unit
15 Nova Scotia Ave.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 4
Guided tours of stables. Sunday: Police Riding competition. Authors Ward McBurney and William Wardle. D $P W K LIT
54 Scadding Cabin
25 British Columbia Rd.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Oldest building in Toronto, built for John Scadding, clerk to Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe. Moved from original site on the Don River to Exhibition Place in 1879. Costumed volunteers. $P K TO175
55 Wind Turbine Generator
Yukon Place; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
The first urban turbine in North America. It helps displace up to 380 tonnes of CO2 annually, the equivalent of taking 1,300 cars off the road or planting 30,000 trees each year. $P
56 Factory Theatre (10A)
125 Bathurst St.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Backstage tours. Sat: playwright Andrew Moodie reads at 1 and 3. Sun: author Anthony De Sa reads and conducts walking tour.
$P W R LIT LA
57 Fire Station 423:
The Junction (3A)
358 Keele St.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Behind-the-scenes tour, fire hall memorabilia from the Junction area. (D) K $P
58 Fire Station 425: Swansea (4A)
83 DeForest Rd.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Tour the two-storey fire hall built in 1930. (D)
59 First Baptist Church (8A)
101 Huron St.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: NOT OPEN
Church founders arrived in Canada via the Underground Railroad. Video clips on the Black Church in Canada. Famous oil painting The Ascension of the Black Christ by Hector Whistler, nephew of James Whistler. W P
60 First Evangelical Lutheran Church (8B)
116 Bond St.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Home to Toronto's Protestant German-speaking population for more than a century. The church replaced an earlier wooden meeting house that stood on this site from 1856. W $P
61 Fort York Armoury (4A)
660 Fleet St. W.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: 10 to 4
Headquarters of the Army Reserve and Cadets. Concerts by military bands. Tour regimental museums and regimental officers' messes. P D W K LA
62 Fort York (4A)
100 Garrison Rd.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Canada's largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings established by Lt.-Gov. John Graves Simcoe in 1793. Tours, dance group and historic cooking demonstrations.
(D) W R P K NHS LA TO175
63 Gardiner Museum (6A)
111 Queen's Pk.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Celebrate the 25th anniversary with tours, hands-on activities and musical performances. D W K LA
64 George Brown House (8A)
186 Beverley St.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: NOT OPEN
Second Empire-style house of George Brown, a Father of Confederation and founder of The Globe newspaper. Visit the library. Self-guided tours. D W NHS LA
65 Gibson House Museum (1A)
5172 Yonge St.; Sat & Sun: 11 to 5
Georgian Revival-style house furnished to reflect family life in rural Willow Dale. Guided tours, cooking demos, interactive discovery centre for children. D W P K LA
66 Gladstone Hotel (4A)
1214 Queen St. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 4
Self-guided or guided tours at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Gallery spaces feature exhibitions for the Contact Photography Festival. Visitor access to the hotel's artist-designed rooms (subject to availability). (D) W R K LIT
67 Gooderham Flatiron
Building (11B)
49 Wellington St. E.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Built for financier George Gooderham, wedge-shaped Victorian landmark is one of the most-photographed buildings in Toronto. Access to common areas, guided tours. W R LA
68 Hare Krishna Temple
(ISKON) (5A)
243 Avenue Rd.; Sat: 10 to 2 Sun: 10 to 9
The church of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness is the former Church of Nazarene and Presbyterian Church of the Covenant. Guided tours. W K R LA
69 Heliconian Hall (5A)
35 Hazelton Ave.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
A board-and-batten carpenter gothic church building. Former Sunday school and home of a Painters' Union. Music, art and readings from works written by past members. LA LIT
70 Her Majesty's Canadian
Ship York (4A)
659 Lakeshore Blvd. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 4
100TH anniversary of the ship. Guided tours, displays, York and Cadet concert bands performing, Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Vanguard sailboats on display. D P W R K LA
71 Historic Zion Schoolhouse (1B)
1091 Finch Ave. E.; Sat & Sun: 11 to 5
An important part of the L'Amaroux community since 1869, the school is restored to depict the 1910s. Kids' activities related to the period. D W P K LA
72 Inglenook Community School (11B)
19 Sackville St.; Sat & Sun: noon to 4
Victorian schoolhouse now Inglenook Community High School, celebrating its 35 anniversary. Guided tours, exhibit of school archives. P W K LA
73 Islamic Foundation
of Toronto (1B)
441 Nugget Ave.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 4
One of the oldest Muslim organizations in Canada. A 125-foot minaret captures the skyline, complemented by a copper-clad dome. Prayer halls, classrooms, library, gymnasium, Hifz school. Religious customs to be observed: remove shoes before entering the prayer hall; modest dress (elbows and knees to be covered); no dogs. P W D R K
74 Islamic Information and
Dawah Centre International (4A)
1168 Bloor St. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Previously a store, converted into a mosque and information centre in 1998. Guided tours, exhibits, observation of prayer. (D) W K LA
75 Jami Mosque (4A)
56 Boustead Ave.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: NOT OPEN
Originally a Presbyterian church, converted in 1968 into the first mosque in the Toronto area. Guided tours. Religious customs to be observed: remove shoes before entering prayer hall; modest dress (no shorts); no dogs. W P
76 Japan Foundation (6A)
131 Bloor St. W.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: noon to 5
Promoting Japanese culture since 1995. Public lending library containing over 14,000 Japan-related print and audiovisual materials in English, Japanese and French. D W $P LA
77 John McKenzie House (Ontario Historical Society) (1B)
34 Parkview Ave.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 4
Three-storey brick house (1913), brick milk house (1907), stable (1915) and coach house (1918) have been restored by the Ontario Historical Society for its headquarters. Tours.
(D) W P LA
John St. Roundhouse (11A)
255 Bremner Blvd.
78 Toronto Railway Historical
Association
Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: 10 to 4
Learn about steam technology and rail transportation in Toronto. The Roundhouse and Roundhouse Park are being renovated. Walk aboard a restored 1929 locomotive turntable, the largest in Canada. (D) $P W K LA NHS
79 Steam Whistle Brewing
Sat: 10 to 6 Sun: noon to 5
Steam Whistle has preserved much of the original structure of the roundhouse in its brewery. Free brewery tours every half hour. Author's reading series and music.
D K $P W R LA NHS LIT
80 Kiever Synagogue (8A)
25 Bellevue Ave.; Sat: Not Open Sun: noon to 5
Established in 1914, this Byzantine Romanesque building has been at its present Kensington Market site since 1917. Talks and tours. (D) W $P LA NHS
81 Knox Presbyterian
Church (6A)
630 Spadina Ave.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: NOT OPEN
Guided tours of Gothic/Romanesque Revival church. Casavant organ demonstrations, exhibit celebrating 100th anniversary. (D) W R
82 Lambton House (3A)
4066 Old Dundas St.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Hotel/tavern from 1847 to 1988 was owned by Father of Confederation, Sir William Pierce Howland. Canadian Wild Flowers (1866) by Catherine Parr Traill, illustrated by Agnes Moodie FitzGibbon on display. (D) W R P LA LIT
83 Little Trinity Anglican Church (10B)
425 King St. E.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: 1 to 5
Oldest church building still standing in Toronto, founded by Bishop John Strachan, William Gooderham and others, served working-class Irish. Live Indian music with sitar, tabla and Hindi vocals, 2 p.m. W D
84 Lorraine Kimsa Theatre
for Young People (11B)
165 Front St. E.; Sat: 10 to 2 Sun: NOT OPEN
Built for Toronto St. Railway Company horses. In 1977 converted into a theatre and studio space. Emil Sher and Pamela Mordecai read, 11 a.m. and noon. (D) W K LA LIT
85 Mackenzie House (9B)
82 Bond St.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Home of William Lyon Mackenzie, Toronto's first mayor, journalist and primary leader of the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion. Exhibit, "Toronto's Tumultuous Year: Wm. Lyon Mackenzie as Mayor." (D) W $P K LA
86 Market Gallery,
South St. Lawrence Market (11B)
95 Front St. E..; Sat: 9 to 4 Sun: NOT OPEN
Council chamber of Toronto's 1845 City Hall. "Lit City: Toronto Through the Eyes of Authors and Artists." Hourly talks Sat. 10 a.m. to 2 pm. Behind-the-scenes tours City's art collection. D W $P R K LA LIT
87 MaRS Discovery District (8A)
101 College St.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Former Toronto General Hospital, incorporated within new buildings, this convergence innovation centre fosters collaboration among science, business and capital sectors. Self-guided tours. $P W D R LA
88 Masjid Toronto (8A)
168 Dundas St. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Former bank, purchased 2002 as a permanent prayer location for Muslims working downtown. Guided tours; handwritten Qur'ans on display. Remove shoes; no dogs. D W $P K R
89 McArthur & Co.
Publishing (10A)
322 King St. W., Suite 402; Sat & Sun: 1 to 5
Tour a working publishing house. Meet authors. K LA LIT
90 Metropolitan United
Church (9B)
56 Queen St. E.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Organ demos Sat: 11, noon and 2:30, Sun: 3:30. Hourly Carillon tours Sat: 11 to 3, Sun: 1 to 3. Silver Band Choir, 1 p.m., Great Heart contemporary folk band concert, 3 p.m. (D) R W $P LA K
91 Michener Institute for
Applied Health Sciences (8A)
222 St. Patrick St.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: noon to 4
Interactive health-care displays, self-guided tours of labs and classrooms. D W K LA
92 Montgomery's Inn (3A)
4709 Dundas St. W.; Sat & Sun: noon to 4:30
An example of Loyalist Georgian architecture, built in 1830, restored to 1847-50. Self-guided tours, Contact photography exhibit. (D) W P R LA TO175
93 Mountain Equipment
Co-op (10A)
400 King St. W.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: 11 to 4:30
This Toronto store exceeds the required efficient building standards by 35%. More than 50% of the building is made of recycled or reclaimed materials. 10,000 square foot green roof (signed waiver required); access by ladder. Tours (15 people) every 15 min.
$P (D) W K LA
94 Museum of Inuit Art (11A)
207 Queens Quay W., 1st fl.; Sat & Sun: 10-6
The only museum dedicated to Inuit art south of the Arctic. Special exhibition on James Houston. Self-guided tours and guided tours at 10, noon, 2 and 4 both days.
W D $P R LA
95 Native Canadian Centre
of Toronto (5A)
16 Spadina Rd.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: NOT OPEN
One of Canada's largest and oldest Friendship Centres. Former home of Toronto Bible College. Guided tours, aboriginal art display and working artist. Singing and dancing with a Big Drum and Hand Drums, storytelling and slide show. (D) W $P K
96 Old City Hall (9A)
60 Queen St. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
One of Toronto's best-known landmarks, a fine example of Romanesque Revival architecture in North America. Stained glass, mosaic floors and murals designed by George Agnew Reid. No interior photography permitted. (D) W $P LA NHS LIT
97 Ontario Association
of Architects Headquarters (2B)
111 Moatfield Dr.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 4
Self-guided tours and an exhibit of OAA 2009 award winners. D W P
98 Ontario Legislative Building (Queen's Park) (7A)
College St. & University Ave.; Sat & Sun: 10-5
Frequent half-hour guided tours include the Legislative Chamber, Speaker's apartment and east and west hallways. Last tour departs the main lobby 4:30. D LA
99 Osgoode Hall (9A)
130 Queen St. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Toronto landmark and hub of legal life in Ontario for more than 170 years. Self-guided tours. D W K R $P LA NHS LIT TO175
100 Phoenix Place (4A)
171 Dunn Ave.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: NOT OPEN
1970's era apartment building run by Parkdale United Church Foundation undergoing a tower retrofit with the installation of a geothermal well-field beneath the parking lot and the erection of a vertical solar wall. Guided tour. (D) W
101 Regent Park
Revitalization (8B)
246 Sackville St.; Sat: NOT OPEN Sun: 10 to 5
Lobby and amenity spaces are open in Phase One of the revitalization of Regent Park. Displays. Tour boiler room of the Community Energy System. OneCole presentation centre next door has scale model of future neighbourhood. (D) W
102 Riwoche Tibetan
Buddhist Temple (3A)
28 Heintzman St.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Previously the factory showroom of the Heintzman Piano Company. The large Buddhist shrine has demos of Tibetan music, art and culture. W K $P R LA
103 Robertson Building (9A)
215 Spadina Ave.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Restored industrial building includes a living-breathing plant wall and 4,000-square-foot green roof. Access to roof garden and Centre for Social Innovation. Guided tours at 11 a.m. both days. D R W
104 Royal Canadian Military
Institute (9A)
426 University Ave.; Sat: 10 to 3 Sun: 10 to 5
In 1890, the Officers of the Toronto Garrison founded the Royal Canadian Military Institute with The Earl Grey as its patron. See RCMI's museum collections. Guided tours of selected areas. LA
105 Scarborough Masonic Temple (2B)
2201 Ellesmere Rd.; Sat: 10-5 Sun: Not open
Tour the Masonic Lodge room with Egyptian style architecture. (D) P K W R LA
106 Scarborough Historical Museum (2B)
1007 Brimley Rd.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
A look at rural farm life around 1914 in Scarborough. Sat, 1:30 p.m. book launch, Bendale and Beyond. (D) W P K LA LIT
107 Shamrock Bowl (4B)
280 Coxwell Ave.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Largest and oldest bowling alley in Toronto, recently renovated and opening for private group functions only. Try five-pin bowling in this retro 12-lane bowling facility. K W R
108 Spadina Museum: Historic House and Gardens (3A)
285 Spadina Rd.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Built by financier James Austin in 1866. The museum reflects the changes of three generations with its original furnishings, personal mementos, and architectural and decorative details. Self-guided tours. D W $P R K LA
109 Stantec: Former McGregor Socks Factory (6A)
401 Wellington St. W.; Sat: 10 to 5
Sun: NOT OPEN
Guided tours by architects, designers and engineers, learn more about working with sustainable designs and materials. D W LA
110 St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (11A)
73 Simcoe St.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: NOT OPEN
Romanesque Revival style architecture. Self-guided tours. 48th Highlanders' Museum. (D) W LA
111 St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Scarborough (11A)
115 St. Andrews Rd.; Sat: 10-5 Sun: Not open
Oldest church in Scarborough and an example of early Gothic Revival architecture. See graves of original settlers, David and Mary Thomson, on cemetery tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. D W P LA
112 St. Anne's Anglican
Church (1B)
270 Gladstone Ave.; Sat: 10-5 Sun: Not open
Reputed to be the only Byzantine-style Anglican church in Canada. Seventeen murals depict scenes from the life of Christ, some by members of the Group of Seven. Sculptures by Frances Loring and Florence Wyle. Self-guided tours. P W R LA NHS
113 St. George's Greek
Orthodox Church (4A)
115 Bond St.; Sat: 10 to 3:30 Sun: 1 to 5
Byzantine octagonal structure acquired in 1937, renovated in the 1980s. Interior painted by Pachomaioi monks, iconographers from Mount Athos, Greece. Magnificent frescoes. 20-minute guided tour every half hour. Greek pastry bake sale. $P P W R LA
114 St. George the Martyr
Anglican Church & The Music Gallery (8B)
197 John St.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: NOT OPEN
Tour church and enclosed garden. Afternoon concert by The Music Gallery. D K P W R
115 St. James' Cathedral (9A)
65 Church St.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: 1 to 4:30
Home to Toronto's first Christian community, this English Gothic Revival style church has North America's only peal of 12 change-ringing bells. Guided tours of cathedral, tours of bell tower by ticket, organ concerts and scavenger hunt. Author reading. D W K LA LIT
116 St. Lawrence Hall (10B)
157 King St. E.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Premier venue for public gatherings until the 1920s, restored in 1967. Sat: self-guided tours, Sun, 1 p.m.: Opera Atelier.
D $P W NHS
117 St. Michael's Cathedral (11B)
65 Bond St.; Sat & Sun: 1 to 4:30
The English Gothic Revival-style cathedral is the spiritual seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto. Painted ceiling and Gothic arches grace the interior. Guided tours. D
118 St. Paul's Bloor St.
Church (9B)
227 Bloor St. E.; Sat: 10 to 4 Sun: NOT OPEN
One of the oldest Anglican parishes (1842). Guided and self-guided tours. Pipe organ recitals 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m., piano and soloist at 12:30 & 2:30 pm. D W R
119 St. Thomas's Anglican Church (6B)
383 Huron St.; Sat: 11 to 5 Sun: 1 to 5
Self-guided tours. Author Maggie Helwig reads from Girls Fall Down, 1 p.m. Sun: 3 p.m. Parish organist and choirmaster John Tuttle plays the Guibault-Therien pipe organ.
W $P LIT LA
120 Swansea Town Hall (4A)
95 Lavinia Ave.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
50th anniversary, community events, local literary history display and activities.
D K P W R LIT
121 Tarragon Theatre (3A)
30 Bridgman Ave.; Sat: 10-5 Sun: 10 to 2:30
Guided tours. First 30 visitors (both days) receive complimentary tickets to Daniel MacIvor's A Beautiful View or Jonathan Garfinkel's House of Many Tongues. Show times 2:30 p.m., discussion with cast afterward.
D P $P W R LA
122 Toronto District School Board: Sesquicentennial
Museum (8A)
263 McCaul St. 1st Fl.; Sat: 10-4 Sun: 12-3
This neoclassical-inspired building houses an education museum. (D) W LA
123 Textile Museum
of Canada (9A)
55 Centre Ave.; Sat & Sun: 11 to 5
Sat, 1 p.m.: author Frances Rooney reads from Exceptional Women Environmentalists. Exhibits: "The Cutting Edge" and "When Women Rule the World: Judy Chicago in Thread." D $P W K LIT LA
124 Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Art Centre (3B)
67 Pottery Rd.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Sat. at noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.: storyteller Jim Blake talks about life in the Don Valley in the early 19th century. Papermill Theatre open Sat. only. (D) W P R LIT LA
125 Tollkeeper's Cottage (3A)
750 Davenport Rd.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Costumed guided tours of the cottage. D K W R TO175
126 Tommy Thompson Park: Spring Bird Festival (4B)
1 Leslie St.; Sat: 8 to 4 Sun: NOT OPEN
Hear author Bridget Stutchbury, guided hikes all day starting at 7 a.m., live bird banding demos at bird research station, children's activities. (D) K P W
127 Toronto's First Post
Office (10B)
260 Adelaide St. E.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 4
Only operational post office pre-1851. Write a letter with a quill pen, seal it with wax and mail it from the same post office that served citizens from 1833 to 1839.
(D) W $P K NHS LA TO175
128 Toronto-Dominion
Centre (11A)
66 Wellington St. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 4
Considered among the best buildings of the Modern Movement in Canada. Tour the 54th floor. D W $P LA
129 Toronto Arts' Council (10A)
141 Bathurst St.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Get Lit! exhibition submissions on display from the competition launched in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the TAC.
D P $P W LIT
130 Toronto Botanical
Garden (3B)
777 Lawrence Ave. E.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 4
Self-guided tour of themed gardens. 1 to 3 p.m.: Learn to create the perfect library with Samantha Pynn from Style at Home. Storybook hike and bookmaking crafts.
D P W R K LIT
Toronto Public Libraries
131 Annette St. Branch (3A)
145 Annette St.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: NOT OPEN
West Toronto Junction Historical Society archives open, mini-tours of library. 10 a.m. to noon: Barbara Myrvold answers questions on the library. 2:30 p.m.: "April Showers Bring May Flowers" story time and craft program. D $P W K LA
132 Beaches Branch (4B)
2161 Queen St. E.; Sat: 9 to 5 Sun: NOT OPEN
Sat. 2 p.m.: Meet authors and beach residents Glenn and Jean Cochrane as they launch their new book The Beach: An Illustrated History from the Lake to Kingston Rd.
D $P W LA LIT
133 City Hall Branch (9A)
100 Queen St. W.; Sat: Not open Sun: 1:30-5
Retrospective on the Toronto Book Awards and readings featuring past winners.
D $P W LIT LA
134 Dufferin/St. Clair Branch (3A)
1625 Dufferin St.; Sat: 9 to 5 Sun: 1:30 to 5
Georgian-influenced style, boasts interior murals. Sat, 2 p.m.: Meet Barbara Myrvold, author of St. Clair West in Pictures, for a discussion on the mural restoration.
D W LA LIT
135 Jane/Sheppard Branch (1A)
1906 Sheppard Ave. W.; Sat: 9 to 5
Sun: NOT OPEN
The newest public library in Toronto features environmentally responsible design and contemporary architecture. D W LA
136 Lillian H. Smith Branch (8A)
239 College St.; Sat: 9 to 5 Sun: 1:30 to 5
Named for woman who pioneered library services for children in Toronto. Includes two of Toronto Public Library's Special Collections: the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books and the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Speculation. D W LIT LA
137 Long Branch (4A)
3500 Lake Shore Blvd. W.; Sat: 9 to 5
Sun: NOT OPEN
Sat, 2 p.m.: Join architect G. Bruce Stratton for a discussion on the Art Deco-influenced renovation. D P W LA
138 Swansea Branch (4A)
95 Lavina Ave.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: 1:30 to 5
One of Toronto Public Library's smallest branches. Special event: Sat, 2 p.m.: Celebrate Swansea's authors of the past, present and future. D $P W LA
139 S. Walter Stewart Branch (3B)
170 Memorial Park Ave.; Sat: 9 to 5
Sun: 1:30 to 5
Sat, 2 p.m.: Meet renovation architect Phillip H. Carter and renovation interior designer Sheilagh Fletcher. Sun, 2 p.m.: Scotiabank Giller Prize winner and physician Vincent Lam reads. D P W R LA LIT
140 Toronto Reference Library (5B)
789 Yonge St.; Sat: 9 to 5 Sun: 1:30 to 5
Sat, 2 p.m.: Architect Gord Doherty discussion on renovation. White-gloved behind-the-scenes tour at 11, noon and 3.
D $P W R LA
141 Toronto West Masonic Temple (3A)
151 Annette St.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: NOT OPEN
Self-guided tour of Temple, Masonic furniture, art and regalia. Learn about the world's largest fraternity. $P LA
142 TTC: Greenwood Shops (4B)
400 Greenwood Ave.; Sat: noon to 5
Sun: NOT OPEN
Behind-the-scenes tour of machinery and equipment used to overhaul and repair subway cars. LA
143 TTC: Eglinton Garage
Division (3B)
38 Comstock Rd.; Sat: noon to 5
Sun: NOT OPEN
The 15.7-acre site services 250 buses, has two bus wash racks and 12 indoor repair spaces. Ride on a bus through the bus wash. K LA
University of Toronto
144 Exam Centre (8A)
255 McCaul St.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Former book warehouse for the TDSB, the Exam Centre opened last year. See living wall and an exam room. D $P LA
145 First Nations House (7A)
563 Spadina Ave.; Sat: 10 to 5
Sun: NOT OPEN
Activities relating to Aboriginal culture including crafts for children; oral storytelling by Anishnawbe Peoples; art exhibit. Tours.
D K W $P R LIT LA
146 Hart House (6A)
7 Hart House Circ.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Late Gothic Revival built around a verdant quadrangle. Sat, 2 p.m.: author reading. Sun, 2 & 2:30 p.m.: author reading.
D K $P W R LIT
147 John W. Graham Library: Trinity College (6A)
3 Devonshire Place; Sat: 10 to 5
Sun: NOT OPEN
See special collections from Archibald Lampman, Sir Gilbert Parker, Dorothy Livesay, Scott Symons and Austin Clarke and collections from the libraries of John Strachan, first bishop of Toronto. D W $P LA
148 School of Continuing Studies (6A)
158 St. George St.; Sat: Not open Sun: 12 to 4
1 p.m.: Readings by award-winning creative writing instructors: Kim Echlin and Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer. D LIT LA
149 Soldiers' Tower (6A)
7 Hart House Circ.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Commemorates men and women lost to the University of Toronto during World Wars I and II. Tour the Memorial Room. (Note: the carillon will not be open). LA
150 Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library (6A)
120 St. George St.; Sat: 10 to 5
Sun: NOT OPEN
See literary papers from authors including Margaret Atwood, Earle Birney, Dennis Lee, Gwendolyn MacEwen and Josef Skvorecky. (D) W $P LA LIT
151 University College (6A)
15 King's College Circ.; Sat: 10 to 5
Sun: NOT OPEN
Tour the rotunda, west hall, east hall, room 240 (original Senate Chamber of U of T), Laidlaw Library, and the Art Centre. (D) $P W LA NHS
152 Victoria University: Emmanuel College Library (6A)
75 Queen's Park Cres.; Sat: 10 to 3
Sun: NOT OPEN
Guided tour of the Sproatt and Rolph-designed library, constructed from Credit Valley stone, features striking Gothic windows and a librarian's gallery. D LA
153 Victoria University: E.J. Pratt
Library (6A)
71 Queen's Park Cres.; Sat: 10 to 3 +Sun: NOT OPEN
Guided tour featuring special collections on Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William Blake, Virginia Woolf, Northrop Frye and filmmaker Norman Jewison. D LA
154 Wycliffe College (6A)
5 Hoskin Ave.; Sat: 10 to 5 Sun: NOT OPEN
Tours every 30 mins. from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. of Founders' Chapel, Sheraton Hall, Cody Library, Leonard Hall, Refectory & Soward Reading Room. (D) LA
155 Union Station (11A)
65 Front St. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 4
Busiest transportation hub in Canada. Hourly guided tours 10:15 to 3:15. Diaspora Dialogue readings and performances, fiction, poetry and drama. (D) $P W R NHS LIT
156 University Women's
Club of Toronto (6A)
162 St. George St.; Sat: 10 to 5
Sun: NOT OPEN
Guided tour of the club, which was a private residence until 1929. (D) P W R LA
157 Variety Village (3B)
3701 Danforth Ave.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Built as a vocational training school for men with physical disabilities, now a facility for everyone. Meet athletes from 2008 Paralympic Games. D P K W R LA
158 Westwood Sailing Club (4B)
12 Regatta Rd.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Quick sails into Toronto Outer harbour on sailing dinghies (adults only, conditions, capacity, weather permitting). Guided tour of clubhouse. P W LA
159 Women's Art Association of Canada (5A)
23 Prince Arthur Ave.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Guided tour of 1874 mansion. Art exhibit, photo's and short film. LA
160 York Museum:
Centennial Building (3A)
2694 Eglinton Ave. W.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Learn about the former City of York from its early beginnings to the present. Sat, 10:30 to noon and 1:30 to 3: Solo performance by flutist Katie Welnetz of "Lullabies From Many Lands." D W $P
161 Yorkminster Park
Baptist Church (3B)
1585 Yonge St.; Sat: 10 to 4 Sun: 10 to 4:30
Author readings: Sat. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Sun. 2 & 3 p.m. Both days: Ongoing stained-glass tours by ROM curator Corey Keeble. D W $P P LA LIT
162 Zeidler Partnership
Architects (10A)
315 Queen St. W., 2nd fl.; Sat & Sun: 10 to 5
Behind-the-scenes tour. Meet architects who designed Toronto buildings, see presentations on current projects from around the globe. (D) LA
163 Zion Church Cultural
Centre (1B)
1650 Finch Ave. E.; Sat & Sun: 11 to 4
Zion Methodist Church and cemetery are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act as an example of a typical rural church. Tours, kids' activities including grave rubbings. D W P K LA
Doors Open Toronto 2008
Doors Open Toronto 2008. Join Toronto Culture Saturday and Sunday, May 24 & 25, 2008 and renew your faith in Toronto architecture!
Multicultural places of worship and Toronto’s National Historic Sites will be in the spotlight during this year’s event, which gives visitors an opportunity to explore about 150 buildings of architectural, historic, cultural and/or social significance.
Many of the city’s finest masjids, churches, chapels, temples, and synagogues are among the featured buildings this year, as well as structures never before open to the public.
Music will play a big part in Doors Open Toronto 2008; united under the banner, Sacred Spaces, Sacred Circles, this year’s event is a collaboration with Tafelmusik Orchestra and the Toronto Consort. Organizers will animate a dozen Doors Open Toronto venues with special performances.
Official program guides for Doors Open Toronto 2008 will be available in the Toronto Star Thursday, May 22, 2008.
Most locations open to the public at 10 a.m. and remain open until 4 p.m. with last entry to some venues at 3:45 p.m. or even 3:30 p.m.
Note that some buildings are only open either the Saturday OR the Sunday not the entire weekend.
The event is organized by the City of Toronto Culture Department and is chiefly sponsored by the Toronto Star newspaper. Hundreds of dedicated volunteers help make the weekend long event a great success, without them, this could not happen.
This is the ninth year of Doors Open.
Admission is FREE
