I’m pleased to have finally made it out to Montgomery’s Inn in Etobicoke for the first time.
Montgomery’s Inn is one of the ten City of Toronto museums, and the fifth that I’ve visited so far this year (the others being Gibson House Museum, The Market Gallery, Scarborough Museum, and Colborne Lodge). I’m hoping to visit the remainder (Spadina Museum, Fort York, Mackenzie House, Todmorden Mill, and Zion Schoolhouse) before the end of the year.
The Ontario Heritage Trust plaque outside states:
Situated on Dundas Street, one of Upper Canada’s main highways, the inn was a favourite stopping place for travellers.
Its large rooms also provided space for public meetings. The Home District Council designated Montgomery’s Inn as the site of Etobicoke’s annual township meetings in 1847 and 1849.
Thomas Montgomery no longer operated the inn after his wife died in 1855, but the property remained a farm until it was sold by family descendants in 1945.
The building served as a Presbyterian church from 1946 to 1962, after which it was nearly demolished. It was saved by the Etobicoke Historical Society, and became a public museum in 1975.
The main section of this building is a fine example of vernacular Georgian architecture in Ontario.
I enjoyed seeing the inn restored and fully furnished to all its 1840s glory. It reminded me of Fryfogel’s Tavern in Shakespeare, Ontario, which I had seen a few years ago in a much earlier stage of restoration.
Something special for me was to see my colleague Bruno’s name written high up on a wall undergoing restoration, now being included as part of the interpretation! I’m pretty sure he already knew about this, but I told him and he laughed. Great stuff.
I’ll have to check out the many activities and special events held at the Inn, like Tea Times and Thirsty Thursdays. A very handsome building, and well used for community rentals, I gather.
Montgomery’s Inn is museum no. 55 in my #100museums challenge (see 100 Museums Challenge).