The Archives' Research Hall will be closed to all researchers beginning on Friday, June 1, 2012 and will re-open on Tuesday, June 19, 2012.

The scheduled renovations will allow us to improve the layout and facilities within the Research Hall and will result in enhanced accessibility and services to our users.

During this period, the Archives will remain open for booked tours and all education programming.

Specific services including by-law information, image reproduction requests, certifications and all other enquiries will not be affected.

For further information, please contact us.

Queen Victoria Monument, Queen's Park
ca. 1910
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1568, Item 203

May 24, Victoria Day, is the Queen's official birthday in Canada.

First declared a holiday in 1845, the date was chosen as it was Queen Victoria's birthday. After her death, the birthday of her son, Edward VII, who was born in November, was also celebrated on May 24.

During the reigns of George V and Edward VIII, possibly as these kings were born during the summer, Canada celebrated their birthdays on the actual dates, June 3 and 23 respectively, although May 24 continued to be a public holiday.

Under the reign of George VI, who was born in December, Canada followed the United Kingdom and celebrated the monarch's birthday in June. This practise continued until 1953, when the celebration of the sovereign's birthday reverted back to May 24.

This year's Victoria Day is of particular importance as it is being celebrated during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee year. As a special commemoration to the 60 year reign of our 86 year-old monarch, and to note the forthcoming visit of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, the City of Toronto Archives has produced a web exhibit, Queen City: Her Majesty in Toronto highlighting some of her previous visits to our city.

See past editions of this month in Toronto.

The City of Toronto Archives has partnered with the TSO to launch a 90th season exhibit featuring historical records of the orchestra, including many unique documents, photographs, prints and audio recordings. The free exhibit runs to May 26, 2012.

See the exhibit poster.

For information contact us on (416) 397–5000, or visit tso.ca/archives.

If you missed out on Toronto's Visual Legacy: Official City Photography from 1856 to the Present the first time, now is your chance to purchase the soft back edition. This book contains nearly 200 archival images offering a visual overview of Toronto’s history, documenting attitudes and values expressed by City officials, from the 19th century to today.