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Slavery existed on a global scale for centuries and had devastating implications for the individuals subjected to it. Many people do not know that slavery existed in Canada. Produced in Partnership with the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, the Archives of Ontario's newest exhibit, Enslaved Africans in Upper Canada, touches on the lives of enslaved Africans, and focuses on the actions they took to resist their servitude. It reveals that Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe’s 1793 Act to Limit Slavery in Upper Canada was precipitated by the resistance of a slave woman named Chloe Cooley and led to the end of slavery throughout the British Empire. [MORE] |
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For the seventh straight year, the Archives is presenting an Eaton's Santa Claus Parade Colouring Book to celebrate the holiday season. This one dates from 1955, over half a century ago. We invite you to print it out and colour it at home. [MORE] |
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Throughout the 20th century Government of Ontario photographers recorded the development of the province. Their images provide fascinating and unique perspectives on our history. Assignment to Archives: Recognizing the Work of Ontario Government Photographers privides a unique insight into their work and offers ample proof of each photographer’s skill and vision. Photographic approaches are intentionally varied, and represent a wide range of ministries and geographic areas. [MORE]
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The Children of Peace were key to the development of Canadian democracy and social justice. They created Canada’s first cooperative and credit union, and were critical actors in the democratic reform movement led by William Lyon Mackenzie, Robert Baldwin and Louis LaFontaine. The dramatic and ornate Sharon Temple, built by the Children of Peace, celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2007. To mark this occasion, the Archives of Ontario, in partnership with the Sharon Temple National Historical Site and Museum, is pleased to announce a new online exhibit: 175 Years of Hope: A Celebration of the Sharon Temple and the Children of Peace. [MORE] |
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Diaries provide an immediacy and intimacy provided by very few types of records. A Lifetime – Day by Day, Five Women and Their Diaries provides important insights into the every day lives of early Ontario pioneers. When we read about these women’s day to day experiences, the roles they played and the tasks they performed, we have a window into the society in which they lived. [MORE] |
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The Rideau Canal is celebrating its 175th year in 2007 and, to recognize the event, the Archives of Ontario presents Eyewitness: Thomas Burrowes on the Rideau Canal. Thomas Burrowes worked on the Rideau Canal during its construction and documented his experiences in a series of watercolour paintings. The Archives has 115 of his paintings in its collection and many of them are presented here. [MORE] |
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In recognition of the 45th Anniversary of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, the Archives of Ontario presents The Freedom Seeker: The Life and Times of Daniel G. Hill. This exhibit celebrates the life of Dan Hill, the first Director of the Commission and a prominent writer, public figure and community activist with a sustained interest in the history of Blacks in Canada. [MORE] |
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When television station CFPL in London first went on the air in 1953, it was just the second private broadcaster in Canada. Television was in its infancy and people were just beginning to learn about current events from on-air news reporting. In June of 2002, CFPL generously donated, to the Archives of Ontario, the entire news output for their first 15 years of operation. Mirror, Mirror …. Looking Back Through the Eye of the CFPL News Camera is an exhibit that celebrates that donation by presenting a selection of over 175 news stories from the stations first years of operation. [MORE] |
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David Thompson, Map Maker, Explorer and Visionary. David Thompson (1770-1857) fur trader, astronomer and surveyor, mapped more of North America than anyone else. His journals, letters, maps and autobiography provide detailed insights into the fur trade, the Native People he encountered, the lands he explored, and milestones in his life. The year 2007 marks the 150th anniversary of Thompson’s death and the 200th anniversary of his first crossing of the Rocky Mountains – a fitting occasion to commemorate North America’s “Greatest Geographer.” [MORE] |
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Osgoode Hall Turns 175 - Documenting a Landmark
Osgoode Hall, a National Historic Site of Canada, is celebrating its 175th birthday in 2007. To recognize this important milestone, the Archives of Ontario is pleased to introduce this anniversary exhibition, a joint project of the Archives of Ontario and the Law Society of Upper Canada. Osgoode Hall is both venerable and architecturally significant and one of the best-preserved, and best-documented historical structures in Ontario. [MORE] |
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The Archives of Ontario is pleased to introduce The Black Canadian Experience in Ontario 1834-1914: Flight, Freedom, Foundation, a joint project of the Archives of Ontario and the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS). This exhibit explores the migration of people of African origin into Canada, particularly via the Underground Railroad, and celebrates a community which has played a significant role in Ontario's history. [MORE] |
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For the sixth straight year, the Archives is presenting an Eaton's Santa Claus Parade Colouring Book to celebrate the holiday season. This one dates from 1953, over half a century ago. We invite you to print it out and colour it at home. [MORE] |
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Ontario is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. Visitors come to enjoy the natural beauty of the province’s parks and countryside, and to partake of the vibrant life of its cities. Yours to Discover - Tourism in Ontario through Time is an exhibit that explores tourism in Ontario from the early settlers in Upper Canada to the travellers of the current day, using documents and images from the Archives’ collection. [MORE] |
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Moving Forward to Preserve the Past - The Archives' New Approach to Records Preservation
Transforming and improving both the preservation of, and public access to, Ontario's rich archival resources is central to the Archives' Strategic Plan. In 2000 we embarked on a two-phase accommodation strategy to address this challenge. In March 2006, the Archives completed phase one of this initiative with the transfer of over 300,000 containers of irreplaceable records to a new offsite archival storage facility, owned and operated by Archives ONE Limited Partnership, under a unique long-term public private partnership. [MORE]
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Over the course of a lifetime,
most people accumulate a variety of records. These records
comprise an individual’s personal archives. Governments,
businesses, schools, associations and organizations of all
types do the same, keeping records as evidence of their activities
and accomplishments. Archives
Unboxed and Revealed: A Guide to Understanding Archives
is a web exhibit designed to assist researchers in learning
more about archives: what they are, where to find them, and
how to use them. [MORE] |
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The
Ontario Society of Artists and the Government of Ontario
Art Collection
In July of 2005, eighteen members of the Ontario Society
of Artists (OSA) each donated a piece of their own work
to the Government of Ontario Art Collection. Diverse in
style and subject matter, all the works represent some aspect
of Ontario as reflected through the eyes of its talented
artists. The significance of the current donation lies not
only in the welcome addition of new artworks to the collection
but also serves to re-establish historic ties between the
Government of Ontario Art Collection and the Society that
date back more than 130 years. [MORE] |
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Images
of Black History: Exploring the Alvin McCurdy Collection
The Archives of Ontario recognizes Black History Month
with an exploration of the Alvin McCurdy collection. McCurdy
lived in Amherstburg, in South-Western Ontario, and collected
thousands of documents and photographs relating to black
history in the province. [MORE] |
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This marks the fifth year that
the Archives of Ontario has presented a Eaton's
Santa Claus Parade Colouring Book to mark the
holiday season. This year we have selected the book from 1952. |
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For Remembrance
Day in this special Year of the Veteran, the Archives invites
you to hear the story of one veteran from Ontario, told
in his own words. Join us in reading and listening to excerpts
from the World War One diary of John Mould, a patriot and
a two-time veteran, who recounts his experiences training,
fighting and finally returning to France in 1936 to see
the unveiling of the magnificent monument to fallen Canadians
war heroes at Vimy Ridge. The Year of the Veteran: Celebrate,
Honour, Remember. [MORE] |
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This year marks the
centennial of The James Bay Treaty, also
known as Treaty No.9. As part of the centennial
marking the signing of the Treaty, the Archives of Ontario
is proud to present The
James Bay Treaty Turns 100, an exhibit outlining
the main historical events leading to Treaty No.9. [MORE] |
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Canadians and
Ontarians take great pride and interest in their health
care system, and the Archives of Ontario is proud to hold
an important key to the province’s heritage through
the health-related records that it acquires, preserves,
and makes accessible to the public. Medical
Records at the Archives of Ontario is an exhibit
that explores the variety and scope of medical records held
by the Archives of Ontario. [MORE] |
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The Archives of Ontario
holds a rich collection of government records documenting
the evolution of public elementary and secondary education
in Ontario from 1799 to the present-day. Lessons
Learned: The Evolution of Education in Ontario is
an exhibit and resource that explores the history of our educational
system from blackboards to the web. [MORE] |
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The
Archives of Ontario Celebrates Our Agricultural Past
Whether living and working in a farming community, or watching
a harvest sunset while travelling a rural highway, Ontarians
take great pride in their agricultural heritage. The Archives
of Ontario is proud to hold an important key to the province’s
agricultural heritage through the documents it acquires,
preserves and makes accessible to the public. This exhibit
celebrates the farming way of life focusing on the settlement
of the land, its use, and the people who have made agriculture
one of the province’s greatest assets.[MORE]
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Thomas
and J. R. Connon a Photographic Legacy
Panoramic photography was very popular during the late
1800s and early 1900s. One leader in the field was John
R. Connon of Elora, Ontario who patented the cycloramic
panoramic camera in 1887. John and his father Thomas were
both photographic innovators who experimented with many
different photographic processes. To learn more visit our
exhibit, Thomas and
J. R. Connon a Photographic Legacy. |
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Preservation
of the Wm. Thomson Freeland Panoramas
On May 16, 2003, 2 large panorama photographs were discovered
in the attic of the Ontario Provincial Parliament building
at Queen’s Park. The two panoramic views of Niagara
Falls are almost 6 metres long and over 90 years old. Quite
possibly the largest photographs in the world at the time.
The Archives' Preservation Services Unit have been working
hard to return the panoramas to their original grandeur.
[MORE]
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Papermaking
in Ontario
Few industries have played a more significant role in Ontario's
history than the manufacture of paper. For nearly two hundred
years the industry has been vital and influential in the
growth and development of the province both economically
and geographically. This exhibit traces the evolution of
the paper industry in Ontario from the beginnings to the
present. [MORE] |
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The
Santa Claus Parade Turns 100
The 100th running of the Santa Claus Parade in Toronto
took place in November. The parade, which has survived the
great depression, two World Wars and all manner of inclement
weather is one of the largest productions of its kind in
North America and has run uninterrupted since 1905. From
1905 to 1981 the parade was staged by Eaton's Department
Store and was known as the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade. This
virtual exhibit remembers those first 77 parades. [MORE]
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The invention of
the lithographic printing press in 1798 did much to change
the way we shared information. It wasn't long before
broadsheets and posters became a common way to attract attention
and reach a wide audience. This method of communicating with
people was perhaps never more effective than during the First
World War.
Canadian Posters from
the First World War is a virtual exhibit that
focuses on a selection of Canadian posters from the First
World War and, in particular, those that can be found in
the Archives of Ontario poster collection (C 233). [MORE]
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Art
at Queen's Park is a virtual tour of the spectacular
works of art located in the corridors, foyers and gardens
of the Macdonald Block in Toronto, where
Ontario's provincial government is centred. The 1950s and
1960s saw an unprecedented growth in Ontario's Public Service
and a large complex - The Macdonald Block
- was built to provide additional office space. A number
of artworks, including paintings, murals, stained glass
and sculpture, were commissioned from some of Canada's best
known artists to add interest to the buildings. [MORE] |
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In the summer of 1604, a
group of settlers which included Samuel de Champlain founded
a French settlement in North America, on Sainte-Croix Island,
Sainte-Croix River (Bay of Fundy). Over the following century
and a half, the French explored much of eastern North America,
including the territory which would come to be known as
Ontario. The Archives of Ontario is pleased to present,
“French
Ontario in the 17th and 18th Centuries”
an online exhibit which commemorates four centuries of French
presence on the Continent. [MORE] |
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The
Archives of Ontario Remembers the Home Front
Sixty years ago, on June 6, 1944, the
liberation of Europe began with the D-Day invasion,
involving the combined forces of Great Britain,
the United States, Canada
and their allies. Several Ontario-based regiments participated
in the landings and fighting on a section of the beach at
Normandy code-named Juno. The Archives of Ontario is remembering
the contribution of Ontario, its citizens and all Canadian
soldiers on that day by exploring how the Home Front
supported the war effort. [MORE] |
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As part of Contact 2004,
the Toronto Photography Festival, the Archives of Ontario
is pleased to present a new virtual exhibit featuring the
work of the Toronto journalist, writer and amateur photographer,
M. O. Hammond.
The exhibit features a selection of images from the Archives
fonds of 13,000 prints and negatives taken by Hammond between
1896 and 1934. Selected images are accompanied by entries
from Hammond’s personal diaries which are part of the
M. O. Hammond fonds at the Archives of Ontario. [MORE] |
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On the night of April 19-20th
1904, Toronto experienced the worst fire in its history. The
exact cause of the fire was never determined but it levelled
nearly 20 acres of land and over 5,000 jobs were lost, at
least temporarily. Fortunately, no lives were lost but the
fire, which lasted less than 9 hours, dealt a serious blow
to the commercial heart of the city. In The
Great Toronto Fire, the Archives of Ontario remembers
this significant event in the city's history. [MORE] |
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The Archives of Ontario
is pleased to present a new exhibit about a formative event
in the history of Ontario.The
War of 1812 had long term effects on the economic,
social and political life of the province. This extensive
exhibit and history resource showcases some of the personalities
and locations that played a role in the war and explores the
events of that conflict as told through the correspondence
and diaries of those who lived it. These words are illustrated
with artwork, maps and photographs from the holdings of the
Archives, many being made widely available for the first time.
We invite you to explore this exhibit and experience the War
of 1812 in Upper Canada.
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On March 30th, 1954,
Canada’s First Subway opened for service.
It was an immediate hit with the people; 250,000 rode it on
the first day. It quickly became an icon for the booming post-war
economy that would define Toronto in the closing stages of
the 20th century. The
Subway Turns Fifty is a small online exhibit
that looks back at the building of the subway and key milestones
in its development. [MORE] |
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A
Celebration of Winters Long Ago
The past year has been an exciting one for the Archives
as we have been busy celebrating our 100th Anniversary.
Now, as 2003 is drawing to a close, and talk of ice and
snow begins to dominate our conversations, it is delightful
to think about the winter season of 1903, when the Archives
was just brand new. In this, our final centennial exhibit,
the Archives of Ontario invites you to enjoy some images
from our collection that portray winter scenes and pursuits
from early in the 20th century. [MORE] |
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Documents
from the Front: The American Civil War and Fenian Raids
in the 1860s
Two recent additions to the Archives' collection show,
through the private lives of Ontarians, how wider military
conflicts and political issues affected Ontario (Canada
West) in the 1860s. The Darroch donation consists of rare
letters of Canadians serving in the American Civil War .
The Willson acquisition is the unique minutes of the Committee
of Safety, formed in response to an incursion of Fenians
near Fort Erie in 1866. [MORE] |
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For the last two years the Archives
has included an Eaton’s
Santa Claus Parade Colouring Book as part of
our online Christmas exhibit. These printable colouring books
have proven to be very popular, so this year we're pleased
to present another one. To go directly to the colouring book,
click
here.
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The
St. Lawrence Starch Company. Established in 1889
in Port Credit, Ontario, St. Lawrence Starch became one of
the leading Canadian manufacturers of corn-based starch, glucose
and feed products. The company recently donated virtually
all of its corporate archives to the Archives of Ontario.
These records which cover over 100 years form a rare and exceptional
example of a truly comprehensive business fonds. This virtual
exhibit illustrates the wide range of the company’s
activities that are documented in this fonds (F 4392). [MORE]
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War
Artists from the First World War.
This November the Archives has chosen to highlight the work
of artists who contributed to the Canadian War Memorials
Fund and whose artwork was exhibited in 1919 at the
first major exhibition to showcase images created during the First World War. The images, created by war
artists between 1914 and 1918, are poignant reminders of a
devastating war that took place almost one hundred years ago.
[MORE] |
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The
Archives of Ontario Remembers Our Sporting Past:
The Archives of Ontario is pleased to present an online exhibit
that Remembers Our Sporting Past. We invite you to view images
from the collection celebrating Ontario’s athletic heritage,
including those leading moments and personalities in Ontario
sports history, and the citizenship of those businesses that
supported and promoted sports and fitness for Ontario and
Ontarians. |
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Bringing
the Archives to Life: Stories
From Ontario's Movie Theatres
Do you remember the excitement
of that special night out at the movies? Was it your first
evening show as a child, the first date with your future
spouse, or maybe just the thrill of seeing the best movie
ever? Those are your personal stories of movie going: the
theatre regulatory files held by the Archives of Ontario
tell stories of the theatres, their owners, and sometimes
even their patrons. Come along for a tour of some of Ontario’s movie theatres. |
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Preserving
Ontario’s history is a formidable challenge. The Archives’
collection has grown substantially over the last hundred
years and now comprises a wide variety of materials and
formats ranging from textual records, maps and architectural
plans to photographs, documentary art and audiovisual media.
In our new online exhibit, Preserving
Ontario's Memory - Conservation at the Archives of Ontario,
you are invited behind the scenes as we highlight some of
our recent preservation efforts. Also featured is a section
outlining basic tips for preserving your own archival collections. |
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Earlier
this year, artists from across Ontario were invited to participate
in a juried competition to celebrate the 100th anniversary
of the Archives of Ontario. The resulting exhibition, A
Celebration of Ontario Artists featured the
work of thirty-four artists and was displayed at the John
B. Aird Gallery in Toronto. The exhibit is now
closed but to see images of all the selected works, click
here. |
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An
Introduction to Architectural Records in The Archives of Ontario
The Archives of Ontario has a rich
and varied collection of architectural records in its holdings.
Every type of building is included: churches, stores, factories,
houses, office buildings, schools, museums, gas stations
and government offices. Contained in the collection are
over 175,000 drawings, plans, specifications, photographs
and other items relating to architecture, dating from the
1820’s to the 1990’s.
A Record Preserved:
Toronto’s 20th Century Architecture in the Archives
of Ontario, held
at the Market Gallery, explores the architectural scene
in 20th century Toronto. |
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Anne
Langton, Gentlewoman, Pioneer Settler and Artist
A new virtual exhibit portraying
the life of Anne Langton, gentlewoman, pioneer settler and
artist. Barbara Williams an expert on Langton curated the
exhibit selecting material from the Archives' extensive
Langton collection. This exhibit features informative text,
sound bytes, watercolours, drawings and beautiful, painted
miniatures on ivory. |
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The Archives of Ontario
Remembers the Toys
of Our Childhood.
Much of the magic of the festive season
swirls around children and toys and there's nothing more
heart-warming than seeing a young face light up upon opening
a Christmas gift and discovering a longed-for toy inside.
This year, to celebrate the holiday
season, the Archives of Ontario has created a virtual exhibit
called The Toys of Our Childhood,
that celebrates the magic of toys from the past. |
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The Archives of Ontario Remembers Children's Art from the Spanish Civil War
During this month of Remembrance
the Archives of Ontario turns its focus on the children
who are helplessly caught in the middle of any armed conflict.
This exhibit highlights the artwork created by a group of
children who, over half a century ago, unwittingly found
their lives uprooted by the onset of the Spanish Civil War. |
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The Archives of Ontario joins
Canadians in Celebrating the
Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll
The Archives of Ontario is pleased
to present a new virtual exhibit that reflects on Queen
Elizabeth's first 50 years on the throne and illustrates
the many ways in which the monarchy has touched the lives
of Ontarians. Enjoy images, text and film clips as you travel
back through time and look upon the reign of Queen Elizabeth
ll. |
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Travels
with Elizabeth Simcoe - A Visual Journey
Through Upper and Lower Canada
Elizabeth Simcoe, the wife of John
Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada,
was an accomplished artist. As she travelled throughout
Upper and Lower Canada, between 1791 and 1796, she produced
a large number of sketches and watercolours depicting Canadian
scenes. She was also an avid diarist and documented many
of her experiences. |
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The Government
of Ontario Art Collection
The
formation of the Government of Ontario Art Collection dates
to the middle of the 19th century and was largely due to
the initiative of one man, the Reverend Egerton Ryerson.
With additional works acquired (and lost) over the ensuing
years, the collection today comprises almost 2,500 historical
and contemporary works of art. |
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The Changing
Shape of Ontario - A Guide to Boundaries, Names and Regional
Governments
The political
entity we now know as Ontario was originally created in
1791 when it was called Upper Canada. Since that time, in
response to population growth and administrative needs,
there have been numerous changes to its boundaries, both
external and internal. In addition, townships, villages,
towns and cities have frequently merged, and counties and
districts have re-organized to meet changing needs. |
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The
Honourable Pauline M. McGibbon, the first woman
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, passed away on December 14,
2001. She will be remembered as a great and influential Ontarian.
A large and varied collection of her records are held by the
Archives of Ontario and document her long career. [MORE] |
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The Archives
of Ontario Remembers an
Eaton's Christmas
For
people who grew up in Ontario or in other parts of Canada,
many of our Christmas memories have been touched, in one
way or another, by Eaton's department store. The Archives
of Ontario invites you to step back in time and remember
an Eaton's Christmas from half a century ago. |
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The Archives
of Ontario Remembers Our
Canadian War Heroes
The Archives has recently acquired
a series of letters written from the battlefront during
World War One by brothers, Charlie and Wally Gray. These
letters were composed between 1915-1916 by two very ordinary
young men. They are touching in their simplicity and reach
us in a way that history texts rarely do. |
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Moriyama
& Teshima Architects fonds
Records from one of Canada's most prestigious architectural
firms are now part of Ontario's documentary history thanks
to a donation from Moriyama & Teshima Architects to
the Archives of Ontario. |
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Highlighting
Human Rights in Ontario
This virtual exhibit features a sample of historical documents
and photographs from the collections of the Archives of
Ontario which highlight the evolving recognition of human
rights throughout the history of Ontario prior to the establishment
of the Ontario Human Rights Commission in 1961.
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Please let us know what you thought of any of these exhibits. We also
welcome any suggestions for ways in which they can be improved so please
take a few moments to send us your comments by filling in the form below.
