Montgomery's Inn

Tearoom Article

sarah — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:14:46 +0000

Taking Tea at Montgomery’s Inn

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.

Villages of Etobicoke

admin — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:15:05 +0000

Villages of Etobicoke

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

Visit the Inn

sarah — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:16:26 +0000

Visit the Inn

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 4:30pm
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.

Seasonal Teas

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:50:46 +0000

Seasonal Teas

For details click here for the current events calendar.

St Valentine’s Day Tea

February 14 / 1:00 to 4:00pm
Enjoy a heart-shaped sweets or fancy sandwiches and tea by the fireside.
$10 per person, includes a tour of the Inn, bake sale, and displays

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

For Schools

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:02:19 +0000

Programs for Schools

Kids love our engaging educational programs!

Magda Marches On

JK to Grade 2 / 1.5 hours / $4 per student

This interactive program uses puppetry and storytelling to explore daily life in an 1840s inn. Students help the cook prepare tasty treats.
Curriculum subjects: Social Studies, Language, the Arts
Topics: Oral and Visual Communication; Relationships, Rules, Responsibilities; Drama

Christmas at the Inn

JK to Grade 5 / 1.5 hours / $4 per student

Students compare holiday traditions and wintertime activities then and now, and help with Christmas baking in the historic kitchen.
Curriculum subjects: Social Studies, History
Topics: Traditions & Celebrations, Pioneer Life, British North America

Concoct, Cavort & Carouse

Grades 3 and 7, Adult ESL / 2 hours / $5 per student

History comes alive as students concoct a beverage, learn a country dance, and explore everyday life in an 1840s inn.
Grade 3 – Social Studies Topics: Early Settlements in Upper Canada, Drama and Dance
Grade 7 – History Topics: British North America, Drama and Dance

The Singing of Birds

Grades 6 to 8 / full-day program / $10 per student ($300 minimum)

This innovative theatre-in-education program explores the joys and struggles of two young immigrants – Rose, a Montgomery’s Inn servant who fled the Irish famine, and Clara, newly arrived on the Underground Railroad – as they discover friendship and hope in a new land.
Curriculum subjects: Social Studies, History, Language, the Arts
Topics: British North America, Drama, Language, Literacy, Music

For Young People

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:01:44 +0000

Programs for Young People

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.

Birthday Parties

YEAR-ROUND – Looking for a unique party venue? Book ahead for the Inn’s lively birthday program, featuring traditional games such as table-top skittles. For a treat, kids can each make their own pizza, baked in an historic wood-fired brick oven. Package for up to 12 children available Saturday mornings only, from 10:00am to 12:30pm. Fee: $180.

For Adults & Seniors

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 22:01:07 +0000

Programs for Adults & Seniors

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.

Community Outreach

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:52:14 +0000

Community Outreach

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

Christmastime

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:50:38 +0000

Christmastime

For details click here for the current events calendar.

Cookie Decorating Workshop

NOVEMBER – Join master baker Monika Paradi for this hands-on workshop and learn to decorate Christmas cookies like a pro.

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 a hands-on workshop focusing on Christmas cooking, decorations and other holiday traditions.

A Christmas Carol

DECEMBER – Enjoy this lively rendition of Dickens’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 seasonal beverages in the historic tavern.

Christmastime Tales

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

Songs & Stories

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:50:12 +0000

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.