Discovery stories about Canada… in your own neighbourhood!

In 2005, a poll indicated that 94% of Canadians believed that it was important to learn Canadian history and 84% of Canadians personally wanted to learn more about Canadian history. Yet, 66% of Canadians failed the annual Canada Day Quiz that year!

In 2007, 82% of young Canadians (aged 18 to 24) failed a basic Canadian history quiz.

Why is Canadian history such a mystery for Canadians? What can be done to help us discover and explore some of the stories that create the national narrative that was this country’s past and that shapes who we are today?

Do some of the stories that tell part of the national narrative reside in Toronto? Are there ways to discover some of Canada’s stories in Toronto’s neighbourhoods and communities?
(source: http://www.dominion.ca/polling.htm)

What is the National Historic Sites Urban Walks: Toronto project?

National Historic Sites Urban Walks: Toronto is a series of virtual and .PDF downloadable walking tours linking Toronto’s National Historic Sites through some of central Toronto’s historic neighbourhoods.

Toronto is home to a variety of stories, narratives and tales that are part of the urban and historic fabric of the nation! National Historic Sites Urban Walks: Toronto brings to you the stories of

• Guzzling Billy and the emergence of municipal politics in Canada
• Why Canadians burned the White House and Congress in Washington DC
• Lady Eaton’s dream to create the most amazing auditorium in Canada
• The creation of some of the Group of Seven’s artwork in Toronto

These urban walks encourage you to look at your city through a different lens – that of the stories, buildings, people and events that were key in the development of Canada over the last two hundred years.

What can I do on this website…

Discover…     Toronto’s National Historic Sites through the interactive map and the short trailer!

Explore…       Toronto’s historic neighbourhoods by downloading a print version of a National Historic Site Urban Walk and head out there in person!

Learn…          about what a national, provincial and municipal heritage designation means in Toronto and in your community!

Visit…            some of the National Historic Sites during Doors Open Toronto weekend or at other times of the year – many are open to the public!

Get Involved…by contacting one of the heritage organizations listed in the related links section, by finding out what you can do to protect heritage in your community, and by nominating a National Historic Site in your neighbourhood!

A website in constant evolution…

Come back frequently as more content and types of content will be added to the National Historic Sites Urban Walks: Toronto website:

• More Urban Walks tour routes will be added in 2008!
• Audio and video content is in the works for 2008 and 2009!
• Downloadable audio and video podcast tours will be available in 2009!
• More National Historic Sites will be added as they are designated!

Some things to think about when on a National Historic Site Urban Walk

The National Historic Sites Urban Walks: Toronto project wants to encourage you to discover more than just dates, names and historic facts.

Current heritage issues are presented. Discover what is happening to the heritage of your city!

Some things to consider when you start off on a National Historic Site Urban Walk in Toronto:

• What roles do these national heritage treasures play in your city – for example, what do you think about the recent revitalization of the Art Deco Eglinton Theatre National Historic Site but it being used only as a private venue?
• How do you feel when old mixes with new at many of these National Historic Sites – for example, what do you think about the construction projects at the Royal Conservatory, The Grange and the Old Toronto Post Office National Historic Sites?
• What are your impressions about how some of these National Historic Sites are being re-used, re-purposed, and recycled – for example, what do you think about a large-chain furniture store moving into part of the John Street Roundhouse National Historic Site?
• How do you think the large tower condominium developments are impacting some of the National Historic Sites– for example, what are your opinions about the upcoming development surrounding Fort York National Historic Site in the next fifteen years?
• What buildings, sites or locations close to your house might be good candidates for a National Historic Site?