Spadina Museum
Spadina Museum, named from an Anishnaabemowin word ishpadina (“highland” or “ridge”), sits atop a ravine overlooking Toronto. Today this dazzling mansion is a portal into the triumphs and tribulations of Toronto from 1900 to the 1930s. Get a glimpse into this era through the perspective of the affluent Austin family and the people who worked in service within their home.
Admission
Visiting the historic house is by guided tour only. See tour schedule below. General admission is free. Some exhibitions and events may carry a separate charge where noted.
Please note, Spadina Museum remains open during ongoing landscaping work. Use the north gate marked ‘Temporary Museum Access’ for the museum and grounds.
Hours of Operation
Historic House
Wednesday to Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Garden and Grounds
Daily: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free Guided Tours
Wednesday to Friday: 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Special Exhibits and Events
Browse the Toronto History Museums Calendar to find special exhibits and events happening at this and other museum sites.
Health and Safety
The public is not required to wear a mask but may choose to wear a mask in any settings they wish and will be supported in doing so. Museum visitors are treated with respect and understanding, regardless of their decision to wear a mask.
On-site Services and Accessibility
- Spadina Museum and its grounds can be rented out for special occasions.
- Paid parking next door at Casa Loma.
- Partial accessibility, please contact the museum for full details.
Groups of 15 people or more will be charged a fee for their visits. This fee includes a reserved time for your group and a dedicated tour guide to ensure an enjoyable and engaging experience.
For more information on group tours and fees or to book your group visit, email spadina@toronto.ca. Please contact us 14 days in advance of your preferred visit date. Groups without an advanced booking may not be accommodated.
Kids can enjoy arts and crafts like paper making, clay modeling and baking, inspired by the historic Spadina house and gardens. Explore a 100-year-old home, uncovering hidden secrets and learning about life in the 1920s. With outdoor games, garden visits and creative projects, this camp offers a fun, unique experience like no other.
By Transit
Yonge/University subway to Dupont subway station. Exit station and walk north to the Baldwin Steps at the intersection of Spadina Road and Davenport Road. Spadina Museum is located at the top of the Baldwin Steps next door to Casa Loma. For specific TTC route and schedule information call 416-393-4636 or visit the TTC website.
Please note, there is no parking available at Spadina Museum. Paid parking is available next door at Casa Loma (1 Austin Terrace) in the shared parking lot. Contact us if you require accessible parking.
Location
For over a century, Spadina was home to three generations of the Austin family. In 1866, the property was purchased by businessman and financier James Austin, founder of the Dominion Bank and president of Consumers Gas. The Austins and their children used their 80 acres for farming until James, and later his son Albert, subdivided and sold most of the land. The remaining 5.7 acres include an orchard, a grape arbour and a kitchen garden, along with the more formal areas of lawn and display beds.
The historic house illustrates the evolution of styles from mid-Victorian to 1930s Colonial Revival and includes items from both the Arts and Crafts and Aesthetic Movements, as well as items in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. The influence of new technologies such as gas lighting, central heating, electricity and the telephone can be seen here.