by Peter Kuitenbrouwer, National Post, May 2009

With Victoria Day upon us, it is fitting we pay a visit to Toronto’s least visible and most under-appreciated ethnic group: the British…

Yesterday I joined them for a jolly good tea at Montgomery’s Inn, which Thomas Montgomery of Ulster erected in 1830, to catch the stage-coach traffic on Dundas St. West at Islington Avenue.

Today the Inn at 4709 Dundas St. W. is the perfect spot for tea for a simple reason, summed up by Kingsway local Kathy Reid, who came yesterday packing a Robert Ludlum novel: “It’s quiet”.

The Inn survived in private hands until the 1960s when a developer bought it for demolition. The Etobicoke Historical Society scraped together the cash to take it from him and restore it to the simple comforts of the 1840s. Today clubs meet here, including one for owners of Jaguar motor cars. Tuesday through Sunday, volunteers bake cookies and quickbreads and, wearing period costume, serve them with tea ($5).

“I walked by the Inn every day going to high school”, said Jean Sinclair as she served my tea, wearing a petticoat, long white dress, apron, shawl and cap. “So it’s always been part of my life”.

Each pot of tea comes in a hand-crocheted tea cosy; my “sweet plate” held an Earl Grey cookie, a daisy cookie, a cookie in the shape of a teapot and a tea cake flavoured with rhubarb grown in the Inn’s garden.

(These women can bake: A couple of years ago they raised $30,000 through bake sales to rebuild the Inn’s original wood bake oven)….

You are invited on Monday for a Victoria Day tea, 1-4 p.m. The $10 fee includes a tour of the Inn (now a museum), a talk about herbs and a visit from the old Queen Victoria herself.

God save our Queen.

Situated on the north shore of Lake Ontario, the former municipality of Etobicoke covers an area of over 125 sq.km. (48 sq.mi.), from the Humber River in the east to Etobicoke Creek and the Indian Line in the west, and to Steeles Avenue in the north. Within this territory lies an increasingly diverse collection of communities.

Now a part of the amalgamated City of Toronto, Etobicoke still derives much of its identity from the original villages from which it grew. With intensive urbanization, these villages have become distinctive neighbourhoods within the larger city. These older villages include:

Alderwood
Claireville
Dixon
Humber Bay
Islington
Lambton Mills
Long Branch
Mimico
New Toronto
Rexdale
Richview
Thistletown
Weston

Montgomery’s Inn welcomes locals and travelers, just as it did long ago.

Montgomery’s Inn is one of ten museums owned and operated by City of Toronto Cultural Services. Click here for information about city museums.

HOURS
Open Tuesday to Sunday
Museum: 1:00 to 5:00pm
Tearoom: 2:00 to 4:00pm
Special hours for events
Closed on some statutory holidays

ADMISSION
Adults ages 18-65: $6 plus tax
Seniors & Youth: $3 incl. tax
Children under 12: $2 incl. tax
Tea and treats: $5 plus tax

DIRECTIONS:

DRIVE to the south-east corner of Islington Avenue and Dundas Street West – free parking is available off Montgomery Road.

TAKE THE TTC Bloor subway line to Islington station and take the northbound 37 bus, or walk north for 10 minutes on Islington Street to Dundas Street West.

For details click here for the current events calendar.

St Patrick’s Day Tea

March 17 / 1:00 to 4:00pm
Celebrate this Saint’s Day with tea-time specialties from the Emerald Isle.
$10 per person, includes a tour of the Inn, bake sale, and Irish music

Victoria Day Tea

Third Monday in May / 1:00 to 4:00pm
Celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday with English-style tea and treats.
$10 per person, includes a tour of the Inn, bake sale, and a gardening talk

Dominion Day Tea

July 1 / 1:00 to 4:00pm
Celebrate Canada’s birthday with strawberry-rhubarb shortcake and tea.
$10 per person, includes a tour of the Inn, bake sale, and displays

Apple Harvest Tea

Third Sunday in October / 1:00 to 4:00pm
Savour harvest-time with fresh-baked apple crisp and tea by the fireside.
$10 per person, includes a tour of the Inn, bake sale, and demonstrations

Kids love our engaging educational programs!

Magda Marches On

JK to Grade 2 / 1.5 hours / $3.98+HST per student

This hands-on program uses puppetry and storytelling to explore the activities of daily life in an 1840s inn. Discover the Inn with Magda, the Montgomery’s eccentric cat, and help cook with the baking in the open-hearth kitchen.
Curriculum subject: Language
Topic: Oral Communications; Relationship, Rules & Responsibilities

A Cat’s Christmas in Etobicoke

JK to Grade 2 / 1.5 hours / $3.98+HST per student

Explore the Inn with Magda, the Montgomery’s curious cat, and discover how life was lived in Etobicoke’s early days. Puppetry and storytelling bring the stories alive, and students help with the Christmas baking in the historic kitchen.
Curriculum subjects: Language, Holiday Season Programming
Topics: Oral Communications; Relationship, Traditions & Celebrations

Christmas at the Inn

Grades 1 to 8 / 1.5 hours / $3.98+HST per student

To celebrate the season, discover holiday traditions and wintertime activities which have made the Inn a centre for family and community life. Enjoy the decorations, and help with the Christmas baking in the open-hearth kitchen.
Curriculum subjects: Social Studies, History, Holiday Season Programming
Topic: Early Settlements in Upper Canada, British North America, Traditions & Celebrations

Set Sail

Grade 3 / 1.5 hours / $3.98+HST per student

Inspired by a story by Catherine Parr Trail, follow the adventures of a young emigrant as he sets sail for a new life in Upper Canada. Explore the arrival experience, and help with the baking in the open-hearth kitchen. (This program can be combined with “Time Travelling at the Inn” for a full-day experience.)
Curriculum subject: Social Studies
Topics: Early Settlements in Upper Canada; Oral Communications

Time Travelling at the Inn

Grade 3 / 1.5 hours / $3.98+HST per student

Guided by a mysterious servant, students use clues to piece together a story about the choices and challenges faced by many early immigrants. Drama is used to explore various reasons for immigration, and students help with the chores in an open-hearth kitchen. (This program can be combined with “Set Sail” for a full-day experience.)
Curriculum subject: Social Studies
Topics: Early Settlements in Upper Canada, Oral Communications

Travellers All

ESL / 1.5 hours / $3.98+HST per student

Experience the Inn as a place of shelter and hospitality, where early immigrants shared their stories of travel and settlement, much as we still do today. Explore the Inn as it looked in its heyday, and cook in the historic kitchen, comparing culinary traditions, techniques and tastes. Vocabulary lists available.
Curriculum subject: ESL
Topic: Diversity in Urban and Rural Communities

Concoct, Cavort & Carouse

Grades 3 and 7, ESL / 2 hours / $5.31+HST per student

In this spirited program, history comes alive as students concoct a traditional beverage in the historic kitchen, learn a country dance in the assembly room, and enjoy their own (non-alcoholic) drink in the tavern. A fun way to experience what life was like for the Montgomery’s and their guests.
Curriculum subjects: Social Studies, History , ESL
Topics: Early Settlements In Upper Canada, British North America, Drama and Dance

The Singing of Birds

Grades 6 to 8 / full-day / $10.62+HST per student

This unique theatre-in-education program explores the joys and struggles of two young immigrants of different cultural backgrounds – Rose, a servant who has fled the Irish famine, and Clara, newly arrived on the Underground Railroad. Follow the drama as they find friendship and hope in a new land. Created by renowned educator Dr Warwick Dobson, this engaging full-day program is offered seasonally. Don’t miss it!
Curriculum subjects: Social Studies, History, Arts (including Visual Arts)
Topics: British North America, Drama and Dance, Visual Arts, Oral Communications

Click here to view details in the current events calendar.

March Break at the Inn

MARCH – Register early for this four-day afternoon program featuring traditional cooking, games, storytelling and crafts.

Gingerbread House Workshop

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER – Let master baker Monika Paradi guide you in making a gingerbread house to take home – for kids of all ages.

Kids in the Kitchen

DECEMBER – Drop off the kids for this half-day program focusing on Christmastime cooking, decorations and traditions.

Traditional Tavern Games

Great for birthday parties!
Length: 2 Hours
Age: 6 – 12 years
Montgomery’s Inn provided employment and amusement for the people of 19th century rural Etobicoke which still can be experienced firsthand. Following a tour of Mr. Montgomery’s Inn, participants will play a variety of authentic 19th century tavern games in the barroom including ring the nail, shove ha’penny and table-top skittles. Once they’ve worked up an appetite, they will bake their very own pizzas in our restored bake oven!
Fee: $150+HST for up to 12 children / extra children $15+HST each, to a maximum of 15. Two adults can accompany the group free of charge.
Room Rental: $50
Availability: This party program is available on weekends all year round, and room rentals are also available weekday mornings from May to September.

Click here to view details in the current events calendar.

Write Your Memoirs Workshop Series

SEPTEMBER to DECEMBER 2011 – Fall Series – 10 Wednesdays
JANUARY to MARCH 2012 – Winter Series – 10 Wednesdays
Join workshop leader Gayle Dzis and write your life story in a supportive group setting. Beginners and experienced writers welcome.

“Into the Garden” Workshop Series

FEBRUARY to MAY – Learn more about gardening at this monthly workshop series presented by the Etobicoke Master Gardeners.

Food Heritage Workshop Series

FEBRUARY – Roll up your sleeves for these hands-on workshops highlighting our cooking and baking traditions.

Islington Village Walking Tour

APRIL to OCTOBER – Book your group for an illustrated talk, followed by a guided tour of Islington Village and its heritage murals.

Cookie Decorating Workshop

NOVEMBER – Join master baker Monika Paradi and learn to design and decorate Christmas cookies like a pro.

Seniors’ Tea & Tour

YEAR-ROUND – Book your group for a guided tour of the historic Inn, followed by tea and treats in the Tearoom.

We come to you with entertaining programs for groups.

Music from the Inn

Talented musicians perform toe-tapping music on period instruments:

• traditional British and Irish music for fiddle and flute
• regimental marching tunes for fife and drum
• dance tunes for fiddle and bellows-style bagpipes

Heritage Talks

A knowledgeable speaker presents illustrated talks on local history:

• the story of Montgomery’s Inn
• historic Dundas Street West from Humber River to Six Points
• Richview Cemetery and its community

Community Art Workshops

A community arts facilitator leads workshops geared to special needs:

• community mapmaking
• working with words and images
• stories of families and food
]]> http://www.montgomerysinn.com/programs/community-outreach/feed/ 0 http://www.montgomerysinn.com/events/songs-stories/ http://www.montgomerysinn.com/events/songs-stories/#comments Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:50:12 +0000 admin http://www.montgomerysinn.com/?p=103 Songs & Stories

For details click here for the current events calendar

Fabled City Stories

MARCH – Learn surprising true stories of Montgomery’s Inn’s past, presented as part of the Toronto Storytelling Festival.

Ghostly Tales

OCTOBER – Get ready for a fright as storyteller Nan Brien spins a web of enchantment with spine-tingling ghostly tales.

A Christmas Carol

DECEMBER – Enjoy this lively rendition of Dicken’s classic tale, performed by the Humber River Shakespeare Company.

Carols in the Tavern

DECEMBER – Get into the spirit of the season, as you sing traditional carols and sip special tavern beverages by the fireside.

Christmastime Tales

DECEMBER – Join storyteller Nan Brien for a feast of fireside stories served up with a tasty treat and hot mulled cider.

]]> http://www.montgomerysinn.com/events/songs-stories/feed/ 0 http://www.montgomerysinn.com/events/community-theatre/ http://www.montgomerysinn.com/events/community-theatre/#comments Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:32:35 +0000 admin http://www.montgomerysinn.com/?p=93 Local Theatre

For details click here for the current events calendar.

Montgomery’s Inn is home to the talented and innovative Humber River Shakespeare Company and hosts performances of Shakespearean repertoire, adapted classics, and commissioned plays.

The Sonnet Show

SPRING – Sample experimental theatre and see specially commissioned one-act plays inspired by Shakespeare’s sonnets.

Shakespeare in the Park

JULY & AUGUST – Bring a lawn chair to enjoy Shakespearean theatre performed in the open air beside Montgomery’s Inn.

A Christmas Carol

DECEMBER – Enjoy this lively rendition of Dickens’s classic tale of transformation, a favourite for the whole family.

For reservations, contact the Humber River Shakespeare Company.

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