Author Archives: wtjhs

We’re back! President’s report: What I did on my summer vacation

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Over the summer WTJHS was active:

We attended the Junction Gardens BIA Summer Solstice. Our  display on Dundas Street West, was well attended all day Saturday June 20, 2015 (extra special thanks to Vandra Masemann, Volker Masemann, Hope Humphrey, Frank Remiz, any others please forgive my not knowing your names).

We set up a semi-permanent six week display at Bank of Montreal at Dundas and Keele – which covered entire west wall with displays and photographs.  Organized and staffed by Raymond Kennedy with great co-operation from Bank Manager Joseph Pittruzzella. We set up on June 12 before Summer Solstice and we returned to take it down in the first week of August.

And don’t forget:

Once again we are in urgent need of Archives Volunteers.  It’s a great way to get involved in the Society, requires only one (two hour) evening or afternoon a month and gives you an opportunity to browse the vast and vibrant history of the Junction at your leisure.  Please let us know.

(Be sure to drop in on new WTJHS member Trevor Parkins’ current BMO display — the Campbell Block in Lego and accompanying WTJHS photos — with special thanks once again to BMO Dundas/Keele Branch Manager Joseph Pittruzzella.)

And lastly but not leastly (?) we want to express our profound thanks to Evelyn Milligan for her long service with the WTJHS. Evelyn and Grant have decided to leave the hectic city life behind in favour of a bucolic paradise somewhere in our lovely province. Process servers should approach the Membership Secretary for address information.

Past Event: HERITAGE TORONTO WALK IN THE JUNCTION

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ellisheaderSunday, June 28 – 1:30 PM JAMES ELLIS: ARCHITECT OF THE JUNCTION James Ellis was the premier architect of Toronto Junction. His work defined the railway town: its schools, houses of worship, homes and civic buildings. Discover the work of this remarkable architect, reflecting the social fabric of the Junction, as we visit buildings he designed, knew, and frequented. LEADERS: West Toronto Junction Historical Society START POINT: SW corner of Keele St and Dundas St W FINISH POINT: Junction Shul, Congregation Knesseth Israel, 56 Maria St LENGTH: Approx. 2 hours FOCUS: Historical, architectural DIFFICULTY: Flat pavement, some slopes, 6 stairs at last stop.

See more details about Ellis on our site at Ellis Walk

Past Event: WEST TORONTO JUNCTION HISTORICAL SOCIETY: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

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You are invited to the AGM.  Participate in democracy and vote for the candidate of your choice for the WTJHS executive.  Join in a frank and ultimately long lasting discussion of the future of a two time Heritage Toronto award winning historical society.  Meet your fellow local history buffs and sample delicious snacks

Thursday, May 7, 2015 :  7:30 pm,  Annette Library

Past Event: Our April Meeting

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Thursday, April 2, 2015 : Business Meeting at 7:30 pm,
Speaker at 8:15 pm,  Annette Library

MADELEINE MCDOWELL:
The Great War through the Eyes of a Child

MMresize“My mother, Florence Myrtle Smith was two when the War broke out. She and her Mother followed her Father to England, and she had many vivid recollections of that period in her life. She experienced bombings, saw the depth charging of a German submarine, spent time in Canadian Military encampments and was friends with many soldiers; many who were eventually wounded or killed. They all adored her; she was pretty, bright, friendly and above all Canadian – and they were in England, preparing for, or returning from, Flanders or France. She was a tangible piece of Home.

“The first thing her father told her when she arrived in England, was “If anyone ever asks you who you are, you tell them You are a Canadian!” She memorized her father’s serial number for identification, in case she got lost, which she did.

“She was six by the time she returned to Canada, Montreal, and then Mount Dennis, where she was born. She no longer called herself Florence Myrtle ‘Fmif’. Her beloved father was dead, her mother a widowed single parent with a six year old, who had never been to school.”

Artist, activist and historian Madeleine McDowell received the 2010 Heritage Toronto Special Achievement Award and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.