ROMwalks

Written by Paul Vaculik, ROMwalks volunteer

Image courtesy of St James Cathedral.

By Valerie Fairclough, ROMwalks volunteer

By Bruce Salvatore, ROM Walks, Department of Museum Volunteers

St. James’ Cemetery, opened at the corner of Parliament and Bloor Streets in 1844, is the eternal resting place of many of the prominent families of York and Toronto.  Monuments and mausoleums are engraved with the names Jarvis, Ridout, Gooderham, Cawthra, Baldwin and Osler among others. Stories of success and scandal abound.

Submitted by Regina Virgo, Department of Museum Volunteers

Photo courtesy of Regina Virgo.

Getting to and from work and home can be hectic.  Most of us use TTC or drive, and in doing so we miss much of what cyclists or pedestrians see clearly every day.  Did you know, for example, that a herd of “bunny dogs” romp on the boulevard at Wellington and John?  Or that Glenn Gould is amongst us, and invites us to join him on a bench to watch the world go by?  Where is Toronto’s newest wonder, created in China from 22 tons of stainless steel, and what message does it convey??

By Regina Virgo, ROMWalk Volunteer

Did you know that South Rosedaleis a Heritage Conservation District (HCD)? It is protected because its buildings are considered to be historically or culturally significant and require special care and attention to ensure that they are conserved. The application for the HCD designation was due, in part, to the loss of a number ofRosedalehomes to demolition or unsympathetic alterations.

Every building in South Rosedalehas been evaluated and given a rating.

Submitted by Virginia Van Vliet, Volunteer with ROM Walks

How could this building – the Spadina Gardens Apartments – ruin the morals of Toronto?

Every time you turn a corner in Toronto, you discover another venerable stone building resplendent with arches, turrets, gables, or statues perched in a niche. Some are nestled between the encroaching skyscrapers of the banking district, others sit proudly on their original estate. The heritage houses, churches, government and university buildings, even the industrial areas, are still brimming with rich history – all have fascinating stories to tell of life in Toronto’s past.