North York Historical Society 2024 Annual Report
December 11, 20242024 was NYHS’s 64th year. NYHS played a major role in the opening of The North York History Room in the Society and Recreation Department,… Read more
Elizabeth Jean Mcquillan
December 7, 2024McQUILLAN, ELIZABETH JEAN (nee Jackson) “Betty” On November 30, 2024, Betty McQuillan died peacefully at home, surrounded by family. Born in Toronto, Ontario, in December… Read more
C.W. Jeffreys & His North York House
November 30, 2024Susan Goldenberg (Nov. 25, 2024) UPDATE-PRESERVATION OF NORTH YORK HOUSE OF ACCLAIMED CANADIANA ARTIST C.W. JEFFERYS- RECENT TALK BY HIS GRANDDAUGHTER NANCY BAINES ABOUT HIM… Read more
OHS Dorothy Duncan Public History Award Honourable Mention to Willow Theatre Project
November 28, 2024The Ontario Historical Society is pleased to present an Honourable Mention in the Dorothy Duncan Award category to the Willow Theatre Project, a documentary exploring… Read more
The Yorkminster Park Speakers Series for November
November 10, 2024With Remembrance Day just three days away, tonight’s lecture by well-known Canadian actor and author R. H. Thomson, By the Ghost Light: Wars, Memory and Families, based… Read more
North York and Canadian Athletes Documentary
October 28, 2024Please enjoy this documentary about North York and Canadian Athletes created by our Youth Director and board member Grace Sun Read more
GEORGE S. HENRY HOME
September 29, 2024In 1898 George Stewart Henry, later the force behind the construction of the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) and an Ontario premier, bought 400 acres of… Read more
176th Annual Memorial Day Celebration Pine Ridge Cemetery
August 11, 2024176th Annual Memorial Day Celebration Pine Ridge Cemetery Friends and descendants of the Humber Summit Area Pioneers are invited to an informal gathering at the… Read more
Hidden Histories Unveiled: NYHS Tours Hoggs Hollow for Doors Open Toronto
July 6, 2024In keeping with the Doors Open Toronto theme of Hidden Histories, the NYHS led three tours over the weekend of May 25-26. Despite mixed weather… Read more
Little Jamaica Music History Walking Tour
July 4, 2024Join for an immersive tour of Little Jamaica’s music history on Eglinton Ave. W., from Dufferin St. to Marlee Ave. Discover the rich reggae music… Read more
Celebrating Black History this month
February 10, 2024Celebrate Black History this month by exploring the remarkable stories of three notable Black individuals from North York’s vibrant past, each contributing to the rich… Read more
NYSC Active Living Fair 2023
November 12, 2023Take part in NYSC’s Active Living Fair North York Seniors Centre is hosting an Active Living Fair this year in partnership with the Older Adult… Read more
Geoffrey Emanuel Geduld, 1930- 2023
October 28, 2023Geoffrey (Geoff) Emanuel Geduld died peacefully at the Riverpath Retirement Residence in Ottawa on Saturday October 28, 2023 at the age of 93. Geoff graduated from… Read more
The first “Taste of North York” held September 9th at Mel Lastman Square was a huge success!
September 22, 2023The first “Taste of North York” held September 9th at Mel Lastman Square was a huge success! The North York Historical Society would like to thank Neighbourlink North… Read more
Take a look a North York house from the 1830’s
August 27, 2023Take a look at home that was built in 1835 by Joseph Shepard. The house is one of a few remaining homes that has ties… Read more
North York historian Jeanne Hopkins passes away – 04-Mar-1939 – 13-Jul-2023
August 1, 2023I am sorry to report the passing of Jeanne Hopkins. Jeanne was a historian and an invaluable source of information about North York history. She… Read more
Interested in supporting the planning of the Downsview lands?
July 27, 2023Northcrest Developments and Canada Lands Company are working together to plan the future of their lands in Downsview – a process we call id8 Downsview. An… Read more
Upper Avenue Community Market – May 20th to October 2023
May 20, 2023A team of resident association volunteers has been busy working on the upcoming Market which will run throughout the summer and into the fall season (October).… Read more
New landmark greets visitors on Finch at Keele
May 3, 2023Source – https://www.toronto.com/news/new-landmark-greets-visitors-on-finch-at-keele/article_e7e11671-042c-555b-bf73-b8b52c9f55d2.html When Betty McQuillan walked to school along Finch Avenue, it was a gravel road. Her one-room schoolhouse, Elia Public School, stood on… Read more
Grace Sun recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards
March 8, 2023We want to congratulate Grace Sun as one of 2022’s recipients of the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards for Youth Achievement. Her work with the… Read more
North York Turned 100 in 2022!
November 19, 2021The North York Historical Society celebrated this milestone with programs and walking tours. We held a special event on June 13, 2022 with the Mayor… Read more
NYHS Welcomes Grace Anyu Sun as New Youth Committee Coordinator
May 1, 2021The 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
NYHS Launches New Logo
December 15, 2020The North York Historical Society is pleased to share our new logo! It features an image of the Golden Lion in front of the historic… Read more
Announcing New Acquisition: 1971 Battle of Montgomery’s Tavern (1837) Re-Enactment Scrapbook
July 10, 2020The Society recently received a special donation of an album of photographs taken at a re-enactment of the Battle of Montgomery’s Tavern which took place… Read more
New Historical Plaque for North York’s O’Sullivan’s Hotel Unveiled
July 30, 2019On Saturday July 20, 2019, the North York Historical Society was proud to join Councillor Shelley Carroll and Heritage Toronto to unveil a new historical… Read more
NYHS Joins Heritage Toronto to Unveil New Historical Plaque for North York’s Golden Lion Hotel
May 4, 2019On Saturday May 4, 2019, the North York Historical Society was proud to join Councillor John Filion and Heritage Toronto to unveil a new historical… Read more
NYHS Honours Four 35-Year Volunteers
August 2, 2017Elizabeth and Robert McQuillan, on the left, and Edith & Geoff Geduld on the right, were all presented this year with a 35-year award for service… Read more
NYHS Remembers Barbara Kane, August 5, 1921 – April 4, 2017
August 1, 2017The NYHS presents an excerpt from the Society’s Oral History interview with Barbara Kane. I grew up in Windsor, Ontario and came to Toronto in… Read more
NYHS Members Edith & Geoff Geduld Honoured with Ontario Historical Society Cruikshank Medal
June 10, 2017The Ontario Historical Society’s Cruikshank Medal is presented on rare occasions to individuals who have performed with distinction on behalf of the Society. This year, the… Read more
NYHS Remembers Donalda Ewart Badone (Née Hastie), 1927-2016
July 1, 2016Long time NYHS member and Gibson House Volunteer. She and her husband, Louis (1924-2012), lived in Willowdale for over 50 years. She worked for many years… Read more
NYHS Wins 2015 Urban Hero Award
November 26, 2015The North York Historical Society is honoured to have received a North York Mirror Urban Hero award for arts, recognizing the Society for its work to… Read more
Ontario Historical Society Launches New Ontario History Reference Library
September 1, 2015Provided by Sarah McCabe, who as a newly graduated librarian looking for a volunteer opportunity, was delighted to lead the project. Sarah is now Project… Read more
NYHS Recognized with Provincial Heritage Award
June 20, 2015The North York Historical Society has been awarded the Ontario Historical Society’s 2014 Scadding Award of Excellence, which recognizes a historical society or heritage group… Read more
North York Historical Society Donates Valuable Collection to North York Public Library
April 1, 2015By Andrea Izzo Originally published in the April 2015 of the Ontario Historical Society’s OHS Bulletin. Republished with permission. When local history author Scott Kennedy… Read more
North York’s Heritage Hero: Mary Ann Cross
January 20, 2015Our congratulations to Mary Ann Cross, member of the North York Community Preservation Panel and a member of the North York Historical Society. On Thursday… Read more
NYHS Contributes to Peter Powning’s “Spire Stelae: Impressions of a Community” Sculptures at Cranbrooke Village
June 6, 2014In November 2013, residents of North York were invited to participate in the creation of two public art sculptures by Canadian artist Peter Powning. The… Read more
The Case of the Mystery Ravine Ruins … a Duncan Family Legacy?
June 1, 2011On May 31, 2011 the CBC Radio (99.1) Metro Morning program carried a piece about some mystery ruins in the York Mills & Don Mills… Read more