The Archives hosts exhibits and events throughout the year. Find out what’s on.

Friday House History Workshops 2026

Three dates available:

January 9, 2 to 4 p.m.
February 13, 2 to 4 p.m.
March 13 – 2 to 4 p.m.

Have you ever wondered who lived in your home before you, or when it was built? Join our House History Workshops and learn how to research an address using the wealth of archival resources available at the City of Toronto Archives. Our archivists will reveal the story of a building using maps, photographs and city directories.

This workshop is free, but space is limited.

Email archivesoutreach@toronto.ca to reserve your spot today.

The workshop will be held at the City of Toronto Archives at 255 Spadina Road.

Monochrome image depicting construction site of suburban housing development.
Fairbank area, York Township
ca. 1911
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1244, Item 2418
Image depicts section of map of Don Valley.
Detail of Goad’s Fire Insurance Plan 1910 (revised to 1923)
Plate 40
City of Toronto Archives

 


Under the Wrecking Ball: Shaping Toronto’s Downtown 1960-1989

Runs until April 2026. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free Entry

Toronto’s post-war era was marked by a long period of optimism and prosperity, which among other things, resulted in massive architectural projects emblematic of the city’s wealth and modernist ambitions. The years between 1960 and 1989 witnessed the city’s downtown core transformed through large-scale land redevelopments. These projects were made possible by the sudden availability of railway lands, changes in architecture and engineering, and the growth of Toronto’s banking and financial sector. This exhibit explores the impact of these visionary decades, and the demolitions of older city blocks that resulted. The structures that arose in their place forever changed the Toronto streetscape.

Monochrome photograph of demolition site.
Demolition of Registry Office during construction of New City Hall
1964
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1268, Series 1318, File 4, Item 468
Colour photograph of demolition site
Demolition of Eaton’s Yonge Street store, from James and Queen streets
August 17, 1977
City of Toronto Archives
Fonds 1526, File 89, Item 83

 

For further information or to explore the history of Toronto communities, please visit our archival collection.