The North York Historical Society discovers, disseminates, and preserves historical information, protects heritage sites, and arouses interest in the unique past of North York (part of the City of Toronto).

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Local History Articles

EVENTS

Due to COVID-19, unfortunately all in-person NYHS meetings have been cancelled at present. Stay safe, everyone!

Month
Month
2020 Aug September 2021 Oct 2022
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Myseum of Toronto: In Conversation with Duke Redbird and Tanya Senk 7:00 pm
Myseum of Toronto: In Conversation with Duke Redbird and Tanya Senk @ online
Sep 1 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Tickets
A conversation between Elder Duke Redbird & System Superintendent of Indigenous Education in the Toronto District School Board, Tanya Senk. What were you taught about Indigenous history and culture in school? What were you not …
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Aurora Historical Society Scotch Tasting (Virtual Event) 7:00 pm
Aurora Historical Society Scotch Tasting (Virtual Event) @ online by Zoom
Sep 9 @ 7:00 pm
Tickets
Mark your calendars for the virtual Hillary House Scotch Tasting on September 9, 2021. Presented by Aurora Historical Society in collaboration with the Aurora Whisky Society. This virtual event includes a tasting package of 5 …
10
Sharon Temple: Celebrating Hope – A Night of Illumination 4:00 pm
Sharon Temple: Celebrating Hope – A Night of Illumination @ Sharon Temple National Historic Site & Museum
Sep 10 @ 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Tickets
The annual Illumination of the Sharon Temple remains one of our most popular local events. Historically it has been held on the first Friday of September each year since 1831, its purpose was to celebrate …
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Myseum of Toronto: Toronto History Trivia Night #1 7:00 pm
Myseum of Toronto: Toronto History Trivia Night #1 @ online by Zoom
Sep 15 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Tickets
Missing the days of trivia nights? Looking for something fun to do with friends, family, or by yourself? Join Myseum of Toronto for our first Toronto History Trivia Night fundraising event! Come show us what …
September 2021 Meeting: Amazing Women in Canadian History 7:00 pm
September 2021 Meeting: Amazing Women in Canadian History @ online by Zoom
Sep 15 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
September 2021 Meeting: Amazing Women in Canadian History @ online by Zoom
Tickets
Speaker: Lianne Harris, B.A., B.F.A.(Ed), T.E.S.L. Lianne Harris is the History and Social Studies Resource Consultant for the Toronto District School Board and Curriculum Advisor with Upper Canada College. She has honed her many years …
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Myseum of Toronto: In Conversation with Duke Redbird and Andrew Balfour 7:00 pm
Myseum of Toronto: In Conversation with Duke Redbird and Andrew Balfour @ online
Sep 22 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Tickets
Storytelling can take many forms, and music is no exception. Whether it’s a full composition or just one note, music has the power to move and challenge listeners to see (and hear) the world in …
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2020 Aug September 2021 Oct 2022
More Events

LOCAL HISTORY ARTICLES

Roy Risebrough, North York's first police chief, retired in 1957. He's pictured here in 1979. - Jeff Goode/Toronto Star file photo

Long-time North York Police Chief Roy Risebrough Retired Rather Than Amalgamate

August 26, 2021

‘Metro Council wanted to unify police and fire departments,’ writes Susan Goldenberg In April 1953 the Toronto area’s 13 municipalities, including a strongly opposed North… Read more

This vintage Model T Ford, circa 1919, from the Craven Foundation Automobile Collection, was converted into a police wagon. Model T Fords were also converted into fire trucks, one of which served as North York’s first vehicle with firefighting capabilities. - Scanned from the Toronto Star

North York’s First Fire Truck was a Converted Model T Ford Car

July 30, 2021

‘The truck was so slow that bicyclists easily passed it,’ writes Susan Goldenberg In North York’s pioneering days firefighting was by water bucket brigade. In… Read more

The Connaught Antitoxin Laboratories and University Farm opened in the Dufferin/Steeles area about a month before this photo was taken in November 1917, producing life-saving serums. - Toronto Star archives photo

Connaught Opened North York Facility to Help First World War Soldiers

July 6, 2021

Laboratories ‘produced life-saving serums against the main war front illnesses,’ writes Susan Goldenberg On rainy Oct. 25, 1917, in the midst of the First World… Read more

More Local History

NEWS

NYHS directors Sheryl Adelkind (left) and Susan Goldenberg (right) at NYHS table (photo: Glenn Bonnetta)

NYHS Hosts Table at NeighbourLink North York Willowdale Neighbours Trunk Sale

September 8, 2021

The North York Historical Society was proud to host an information and book sale table at the NeighbourLink North York Willowdale Neighbours Trunk Sale on… Read more

John Laraway

NYHS Memorial Fund for John Laraway

June 13, 2021

John Laraway was a long time and active member of the NYHS. He passed away last Fall 2020. The NYHS Board has decided to make… Read more

Grace Anyu Sun, NYHS Youth Committee Coordinator

NYHS Welcomes Grace Anyu Sun as New Youth Committee Coordinator

May 1, 2021

The NYHS is pleased to announce that Grace Anyu Sun has joined us as Coordinator of the new NYHS Youth Committee. We’ve asked Grace to… Read more

More News

LOCAL HISTORY RESOURCES

Pioneering in North York by Patricia Hart

Books About North York History

Here are some North York history books to explore. Most of these are available through Toronto Public Library. Published by the North York Historical Society… Read more

Native Peoples Collections at Toronto Public Library

Andrew Lowe, the Toronto Public Library’s (TPL) North York History Librarian, presented an illustrated overview of the extensive Native Peoples Collections available in the TPL… Read more

Explore North York Cultural Loops Guide

Explore North York Cultural Loops Guide

The NYHS is pleased to have contributed to the Cultural Loops Guide “Explore North York: Art, History and Nature Self-Guided Tours,” published in 2016. The Cultural… Read more

More Resources