Fired Up No More – Day 26

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Mama Cormier

…thanks to Becky B. for hosting January Squares, https://beckybofwinchester.com/2021/01/26/square-up-26/

Thanks goodness that this cannon is no longer operational. It sits in front of Colborne Lodge, the home of the late John Howard who donated his property to the city. It is however a very rare specimen once used to protect the citizens of York. It was manufactured in 1845 and is only one of two or three that can still be found in the city. There is talk of moving it indoors because over the years this brass cannon has been vandalized and a few brass pieces have been removed.

In 1873, the Howards deeded the property to the city for use as a “Public Park for the free use benefit and enjoyment of the citizens of the City of Toronto forever.” The property was 165 acres in size. In 1876, the city purchased another 172 acres to the east and in 1930 they purchased an additional 71 acres to the west, which included Grenadier Pond.

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Thursday Doors – Colborne Lodge

Posted on January 21, 2021 by Mama Cormier

…thanks to Dan from No Facilities for continuing the challenge Thursday Doors https://nofacilities.com/2021/01/21/cedar-hill-cemetery-thursday-doors/

I’m not a regular contributor to Thursday Doors but I’ve always loved photographing doors when I travel. Like most people in the world travel has been out of the question for close to a year now but in Toronto we have a plethora of interesting doors. Unfortunately we’re in a pretty strict lockdown at the moment. We are however, allowed to go for walks to get exercise so last week when I was walking through High Park I came across Colborne Lodge.

Colborne Lodge is one of many heritage museums on can find in the city of Toronto. Here is a short history of the this cottage that I copied from the Toronto History Museums site.

Creativity and innovation inspired the original owners of Colborne Lodge, John and Jemima Howard, to leave High Park as a legacy that all Torontonians benefit from today.

Built by John Howard and Jemima, two painters, one also an architect and engineer, this Regency-era lakeside summer cottage still holds original collections of their art, architectural drawings, and inventions as well as stories of their eccentric lives. From 19th century science, technology, and medicine, to illness, adultery, and reported hauntings, Colborne Lodge truly has a story to engage all visitors. Colborne Lodge engages in the inclusion of Indigenous narratives and stories through a partnership with First Story Toronto where Indigenous guides embark on a truth-telling journey through their own lens.

Nearly 200 years later, Colborne Lodge is an active hub for community events in High Park, with cottage and garden tours, special events, workshops, and more. Locals and visitors alike are welcomed to see the place where the vision for High Park was born.

Currently the building is undergoing some major restoration and is not open to the public. Parts of the building are draped with tarps and the grey skies and the browns of winter don’t make for the nicest of photos.

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Covered Up – Day 21

Posted on January 21, 2021 by Mama Cormier

…thanks to Becky B for hosting January Squares https://beckybofwinchester.com/2021/01/21/square-up-21/

For Day 21 of Becky’s SquareUp challenge I found one of my favourite historical museums in Toronto all covered up for restoration work. This is Colborne Lodge located on the edge of High Park.