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Guests at the Town of York Historical Society / Toronto's First Post Office gala were invited to "Try your hand" at writing with a quill pen, which is not as easy as it looks.
Writing with a Quill Pen March 9, 2024
South-facing façade of the Hockey Hall of Fame on Front Street in Toronto. Venture inside to see the Stanley Cup and the beautiful 1885 stained glass ceiling.
Hockey Hall of Fame, the Stanley Cup, and a Stunning Stained Glass Ceiling February 19, 2024
Burgundy Snails by KeldBach on DeviantArt
Big List of Royalty-Free Image Sources February 12, 2024
Screenshot of HTML code
Learning HTML5 February 11, 2024
The visitor trail layout at the Little Canada attraction in Toronto.
Little Canada February 5, 2024
Rocky the Rock Ripper, a PR win for Waterfront Toronto (Screenshot of Twitter account)
Toronto’s Changing Port Lands February 4, 2024
Garden Island, Ontario, from above looking west, by photographer, blogger, and author Katherine Taylor. At least five shipwrecks are visible in the clear shallow water in this photo, and it's said there are as many as 23.
Garden Island (Ontario) Shipwrecks February 4, 2024
Weaving on a Floor Loom at Gibson House Museum February 3, 2024
Keith Haring Exhibition
Keith Haring: Art is for Everybody at the AGO January 14, 2024
Sad Cookies
Chocolate Chip Cookies Fail January 12, 2024
Coursera Bookkeeping Basics Certificate
Online Learning with Coursera January 12, 2024
Downtown Toronto in the distance, as the snow moves in, from the mouth of Mimico Creek between Humber Bay Parks East and West
Back to Blogging in 2024 (“The Year of Trying New Things”) January 7, 2024
Tracking my 2021 Toronto walks in purple marker
Walking Toronto’s Ravines and Trails February 9, 2022
Destruction from the Tulsa Race Massacre, June 1, 1921. Photo courtesy United States Library of Congress, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 June 2, 2021
Ocenaudio
Editing Audio Files with Ocenaudio May 23, 2021
My First Video
My First Video May 19, 2021
Richard Halliburton's "Complete Book of Marvels"
(Re)revisiting Richard Halliburton’s “Complete Book of Marvels” (1941) May 18, 2021
Well, hello again...
A Coyote Sighting in Toronto February 7, 2021
Sutton Hoo Helmet
Learning About Sutton Hoo January 31, 2021
Bernie Sanders Inauguration Meme
Bernie Sanders Inauguration Meme Roundup, Ontario Heritage Style January 26, 2021
Google Podcasts
Google Podcasts January 5, 2021
Marlene Dietrich in Toronto in 1975, at the Royal York's Imperial Room. Quote from "Marlene Dietrich's ABC," 1962. (Photo by Reg Innell courtesy Toronto Public Library under Toronto Star License)
Signs of Life January 1, 2021
The Year I Visited 100 Museums
The Year I Visited 100 Museums December 31, 2019
(Said to be) the door of the condemned cell of London's Newgate Prison, behind which St. Oliver Plunkett spent his last days before his martyrdom in 1681.
St. Peter’s Church, Drogheda: National Shrine of St. Oliver Plunkett (Ireland) December 9, 2019
Dublinia, a historical recreation museum, is located in the heart of the medieval city in Synod Hall, across from Christ Church Cathedral.
Four Dublin Museums: Dublinia, Famine, Seamus Heaney, and Emigration December 8, 2019
The popular perception of leprechauns, as displayed in an exhibit of stereotypes and misconceptions (complete with Lucky Charms Cereal) at the National Leprechaun Museum of Ireland.
Four Dublin Museums: Archaeology, Easter Uprising, Gaol, and Leprechauns December 8, 2019
The 1848 Enoch Turner Schoolhouse, covered with snow, on a moonlit December night.
Enoch Turner Schoolhouse December 7, 2019
The Jeanie Johnston, a 2002 reproduction of an 1847 cargo ship, used to carry fleeing Irish emigrants to North America, moored on the River Liffey in central Dublin.
Four Dublin Museums: Famine Ship, National Library, Natural History, and National Cemetery December 6, 2019
The thousand-year-old Round Tower is the most prominent feature at Glendalough: a landmark, bell tower, look out, and refuge.
Glendalough (Ireland) December 5, 2019
The neolithic passage grave at Knowth in the World Heritage Site of Brú na Bóinne, 1,000 years older than Stonehenge.
Brú na Bóinne: Knowth (Ireland) December 4, 2019
Walking up The Parade past the south wing of Kilkenny Castle.
Kilkenny Castle (Ireland) December 2, 2019
Walking uphill towards the entrance of the Rock of Cashel. One of the earliest buildings is the 1134 Romanesque Cormac's Chapel, at top centre, made of sandstone.
Rock of Cashel (Ireland) December 1, 2019
Candles in jars and green boughs in Boivin House at Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons. Some of the 5,000 lights on display during the First Light celebration.
Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons December 1, 2019
Marvellous glass and steel wall installation called "The Journey," by Róisín de Buitléar, in the lobby of The Great Blasket Centre, inspired by research carried out into the daily lives of the Blasket Islanders.
The Great Blasket Centre (Ireland) November 30, 2019
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene ("Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?"), the sixth Harry Clarke window in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart, Dingle. Gorgeous.
Díseart Centre of Irish Spirituality and Culture (Ireland) November 30, 2019
Look up! A carved stone constable's helmeted head outside the Dublin Pearse Street Garda (Police) Station, built 1915. Reminded me of the heads on the corbels of 13th century Ennis Friary (see earlier post).
Four Dublin Museums: Whiskey, National Gallery, Book of Kells, and Wax November 26, 2019
Feeding time for Gentoo penguins at Dingle OceanWorld Aquarium
Dingle OceanWorld Aquarium (Ireland) November 24, 2019
"Adare 1500," the impressive main diorama of the historical exhibition, showing the market town in the landscape in medieval times, complete with castle and monasteries.
Adare Heritage Centre (Ireland) November 14, 2019
Spadina (Spa-DEE-na) Museum, on Spadina (Spa-DYE-na) Road, across from Casa Loma
Spadina Museum November 11, 2019
The awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher, on the Atlantic (west) coast of Ireland
Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre and Cliffs Exhibition (Ireland) November 11, 2019
After the exhibition finishes each day, the fans are carefully closed and sealed in a silver wrap, to avoid warping.
Japan Foundation Gallery November 8, 2019
The Clare County Museum's building was originally a school and chapel of the Sisters of Mercy, constructed 1865-1869.
Clare County Museum (Ireland) November 7, 2019
The 13th century Ennis Friary in Ennis, County Clare, Ireland, on a dark October afternoon, with a pop of yellow. The incongruous pinnacles on the tower were added in the 19th century.
Ennis Friary (Ireland) November 6, 2019
Photo from the 2018 exhibition of Charles Pachter's work at the Art Gallery of Northumberland, Cobourg
Art Gallery of Northumberland and Victoria Hall, Cobourg October 30, 2019
Contraband! The classic weapon hidden in a hollowed book, at Canada's Penitentiary Museum.
Canada’s Penitentiary Museum and Kingston Penitentiary October 29, 2019
Mandela brochure cover
Meridian Arts Centre Gallery: Mandela Exhibition October 26, 2019
Program Officer Danielle Urquhart in the print shop at Mackenzie House, teaching us to use the 1845 Washington flatbed printing press (how cool is that??).
Mackenzie House October 24, 2019
If the sign is up, the museum is open (Wednesdays & Thursdays only).
The 48th Highlanders Museum October 20, 2019
The geological section (of rock, not wax) at Niagara Gorge in Niagara Wax Museum of History was cool.
Niagara Wax Museum of History September 29, 2019
Front door of the Salem Chapel, St. Catharines, Ontario, an important centre of 19th century abolitionist and civil rights activity in Canada
Salem Chapel BME Church September 29, 2019
Why is is this book, "Our Absent Hero" by Mrs. Durie, on display at the Queen's Own Rifles Museum
Queen’s Own Rifles Museum September 29, 2019
Osgoode Hall's centre section (left, late 1850s) and red brick east section (right, 1832) with Toronto's City Hall (1965) behind
Osgoode Hall September 29, 2019
The 1937 art deco Toronto Stock Exchange trading floor in 2019, looking a bit forlorn between events.
Design Exchange September 28, 2019
Toronto Dominion Gallery of Inuit Art begins right inside the doors off Wellington Street in the TD Centre, next to the ever-dinging elevators, and continues on the mezzanine above.
Toronto Dominion Gallery of Inuit Art September 28, 2019
The Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto is just a year old in its current location, the historic Tower Automotive Building (1919) in the Lower Junction Triangle.
Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto September 28, 2019
A tour led by Saladin Allah, the third-great grandson of underground railroad freedom seeker Josiah Henson, highlighted the legal geography of the era the underground railroad was in operation.
Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center September 26, 2019
Orin Lehman Visitor Center
Orin Lehman Visitor Center (Niagara Falls, NY) September 26, 2019
Peterborough Museum and Archives
Peterborough Museum and Archives September 26, 2019
Montgomery's Inn, on Dundas Street at Islington Avenue in Etobicoke
Montgomery’s Inn September 25, 2019
Beaded velvet pincushion with image of Niagara Falls by Marlene Printup (Cayuga/Bear clan), 1992
Castellani Art Museum September 25, 2019
The current temporary exhibition is "From Head to Toe," featuring original clothing from the late 18th to the mid 20th centuries.
Niagara Historical Society Museum September 24, 2019
Terrific docent George presenting on Pierre Trudeau's iconic jacket
Canadian Canoe Museum September 24, 2019
Yeah, alright, it's my head on a platter. I shouldn't look so happy about it.
Museum of Illusions September 23, 2019
Greek Theatre, made of marble columns and arches salvaged from the Bank of Toronto Building (1914-1965)
Guild Park and Gardens September 23, 2019
Ryerson Image Centre
Ryerson Image Centre September 23, 2019
Coptic Museum of Canada
Coptic Museum of Canada (Formerly St. Mark’s Coptic Museum) September 21, 2019
Part of the MZTV Museum exhibit on John Logie Baird, The First Father of Television
MZTV Museum of Television and Archive September 20, 2019
Tollkeeper's Cottage
Tollkeeper’s Cottage September 20, 2019
Niagara Apothecary
Niagara Apothecary September 19, 2019
Barnicke Gallery
Justina M. Barnicke Gallery at Hart House September 19, 2019
Back entrance to UofT Art Centre at UC
University of Toronto Art Centre at University College September 19, 2019
Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library
Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library September 18, 2019
The Aliens Examination Room ... creeeeepy
Haunted House of Wax (Niagara Falls, NY) September 13, 2019
The 1914 Vault at One King West in 2019
The Vault at One King West September 8, 2019
Casa Loma September 8, 2019
The green oasis that is the Palm House at Toronto's Allan Gardens, open every day
Allan Gardens September 7, 2019
Colborne Lodge costumed interpreters Alice and Caitlyn making us laugh with historical tall tales, on a beautiful August evening
Colborne Lodge September 1, 2019
Cornell House with Hough Carriage Works to the left
Scarborough Museum September 1, 2019
A selfie from the SkyPod level of Toronto's CN Tower, looking west along the Gardiner Expressway toward the bright lights of the Canadian National Exhibition, and the darkness of Humber Bay on Lake Ontario
CN Tower September 1, 2019
High Park Zoo August 31, 2019
Fire insurance marks (metal plaques), on various buildings at Black Creek Pioneer Village
Black Creek Pioneer Village August 28, 2019
Where, oh where, is the Scadding Cabin on the CNE grounds? Through the Rose Garden and behind the Fort Rouillé Monument and, er, past the giant inflatable Godzilla.
Scadding Cabin August 27, 2019
Left: The massive (5,000 lb!) white rhinoceros named Tom, in the African Savanna section of the Toronto Zoo. Right: Albrecht Dürer's woodcut of a rhinoceros, 1515, courtesy the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Toronto Zoo August 25, 2019
Far Enough Farm
Far Enough Farm (Toronto Island) August 21, 2019
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario (AKA Queen's Park), looking north (and during a rally in solidarity with Kashmir)
Legislative Assembly of Ontario (Queen’s Park) August 19, 2019
So many different kinds of plants at Toronto Botanical Gardens and Edwards Gardens. (Very reassuring to have seen so many bees!)
Toronto Botanical Gardens and Edwards Gardens August 11, 2019
Salem Witch Museum on a sunny day in August
Salem Witch Museum August 11, 2019
Skywalk Observatory and Dreams of Freedom Museum August 11, 2019
Two of the seven gables (which must intersect with the roof line to be so named), and the seaside garden
The House of the Seven Gables August 11, 2019
USS Constitution Museum August 11, 2019
The stage of the Great Hall, featuring the painting "Webster's Reply to Hayne" by G.P.A. Healy (1850)
Faneuil Hall August 9, 2019
The building on the water's edge, with its light-filled atrium, was designed by architect I.M. Pei and opened in 1979.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum August 8, 2019
Huzzah, Samuel Adams, and Fie on the British!
Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum August 8, 2019
Postcard advertising the Archives' current exhibition
City of Toronto Archives August 8, 2019
And remember Elmer the Safety Elephant (see below)!
Toronto Police Museum and Discovery Centre August 3, 2019
Could the face with the mustache be architect E.J. Lennox (also designer of Casa Loma)?
Toronto Old City Hall August 3, 2019
Stained glass window from the former Kleinburg United Church, on display at the Pierre Berton Heritage Centre
Pierre Berton Heritage Centre July 29, 2019
Venerable Toronto pub C'est What's old sign, on display at The Market Gallery
The Market Gallery July 29, 2019
Anasazi 12th-13th century olla (jar), from Arizona
The Cleveland Museum of Art July 29, 2019
Morrisseau at McMichael Closeup
McMichael Canadian Art Collection July 28, 2019
Pete Seeger's Banjo Head
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame July 27, 2019
Gilgamesh is great as an e-book - from Toronto Public Library
In Praise of Rereading: The Epic of Gilgamesh April 10, 2019
Ed McCabe and silly Sarah, Thunder Bay, Ontario (photo courtesy Kirstin Davidson)
Edmund J. McCabe 1932-2019 March 30, 2019
1930s golden evening shoes (French or Belgian). Yes, please.
Bata Shoe Museum February 25, 2019
Canadian Rapper Maestro Fresh-Wes, Let Your Backbone Slide, 12" vinyl single, 1989. From current exhibition, For the Record.
TD Gallery at Toronto Reference Library February 23, 2019
Toronto's Campbell House Museum, on an icy February afternoon
Campbell House Museum February 17, 2019
In the auditorium at The Ontario Science Centre for "The Energy Show," demonstrating wind energy with a leaf blower and wall art that turns out to be fans
The Ontario Science Centre February 10, 2019
Talons of the Thunderbird in Norval Morrisseau's Man Changing into Thunderbird (1977)
The Art Gallery of Ontario January 31, 2019
Man meets Green Sawfish, on the moving walkway through the underwater gallery called Dangerous Lagoon (where the sharks live)
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada January 27, 2019
CNIB Guide Dogs Promotional Items: "Guide Dog Etiquette 101"
Archives of Ontario Helen McClung Exhibit Area January 26, 2019
Rabbit Tureen, England, London, Chelsea, c. 1755-56, glassy (frit) soft-paste porcelain, with overglaze enamels
Gardiner Museum January 19, 2019
Huqqa Reservoir, probably Deccan Sultanates, late 17th-early 18th century, carved from jade, inlaid with gold and set with rubies and emeralds
Aga Khan Museum January 16, 2019
A selection of images from every open gallery of the ROM today
Royal Ontario Museum January 13, 2019
Works on display in "Beads, They're Sewn So Tight" (credits at bottom)
Textile Museum of Canada January 11, 2019
Horse hair couch, in the front parlour of the Gibson House Museum ("Please do not sit on me. I am fragile!")
Gibson House Museum January 7, 2019
Gibson House Museum, North York
100 Museums Challenge January 6, 2019
Sarah Jane Walsh
A Historian’s Plea December 1, 2018
Website's First Birthday
My Website Turns One Year Old October 25, 2018
A recent acquisition in Toronto's St. Lawrence Neighbourhood, outside Young People's Theater. Toronto has so many stories!
A Milestone for my “Historic Plaques of Ontario” Collection October 21, 2018
North Yonge Street Restaurants Map
Map of North Yonge Restaurants by Two Hungry Librarians August 19, 2018
Kaffe Fassett Fabric
Still Crazy for Kaffe Fassett, Colour, and Knitting August 13, 2018
Pictorial London 1906
Top 5 Images from Pictorial London (1906) August 12, 2018
Blue tiles (azulejos) show foot treading grapes for port wine, which is still done today. At Quinta Santa Eufemia winery in Portugal's Douro Valley.
A Visit to Portugal, June-July 2018: Batalha to Porto July 25, 2018
A Visit to Portugal, June-July 2018: Évora to Óbidos July 22, 2018
The Neo-Manueline (1886-87) facade of Lisbon's Rossio Railway Station at night.
A Visit to Portugal, June-July 2018: Lisbon July 22, 2018
Lincoln Memorial
Revisiting the Lincoln Memorial and the Gettysburg Address June 22, 2018
George Peabody Library
Baltimore’s Beautiful George Peabody Library (1878) June 19, 2018
Olive Square Park Memorial
One Month Since North York Van Attack May 26, 2018
Mnjikaning Fish Weirs Parks Canada Sign
A Special Place: Mnjikaning Fish Weirs National Historic Site of Canada April 14, 2018
Yayoi Kusama's "Infinity Mirror Room - Phalli's Field," at the Art Gallery of Ontario ©Giles Orr
“Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors” at the Art Gallery of Ontario April 9, 2018
Jackson's Falls, with ice sculpture feature behind
Waterfalls of Prince Edward County, Ontario April 1, 2018
blockchain
What is Blockchain Technology? March 30, 2018
Booth Map Descriptive of London Poverty, 1898-99 (Sheet 6, West Central District), from Charles Booth's London
Explore These 10 Superb London History Digital Collections March 5, 2018
From the British Library on Flickr: Poems of Charles, Duke of Orleans - caption: 'The Tower of London' (c. 1500)
Exploring Digital Collections About London February 27, 2018
Baedeker’s London and Its Environs, 1908
London in an Edwardian Guidebook February 11, 2018
GLAM2018 Summit
Top Tweets from GLAMs (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) Summit 2018 February 4, 2018
Get Emergency Ready
Emergency Preparedness Tips January 31, 2018
Family
10 Tips from the AAO Workshop on Research Methods for Genealogy and Local History January 25, 2018
Michael Wood's Story of England
In Defence of History on TV January 21, 2018
TVO Civics 101, First Past the Post
How Does the Ontario Government Work? December 29, 2017
Darn Good Lemon Squares December 18, 2017
Ontario Historic Plaque Outside the Gibson House Museum, North York, Ontario, Canada
Omeka.net for Digital Exhibits (and a Historic Plaques of Ontario Website) December 9, 2017
Frank Lloyd Wright's Graycliff Estate, Derby, NY (built 1926-1931), on a rainy November day
Frank Lloyd Wright in Buffalo November 27, 2017
Illustration of Indigenous Territories from Native-Land.ca
Learning About Indigenous People of Ontario November 21, 2017
Giant vegetables at Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair November 12, 2017
Schreiner necklace
Bling Fling: Gems and Jewellery in Toronto November 7, 2017
London Podcasts
London Podcasts November 3, 2017
Venn Diagram for This Blog
Top 5 Blogging Tips (So Far) October 29, 2017
Museum of London Logo
Six Reasons Why My Tweet Went Viral (Sort Of) October 22, 2017