You’re Invited: Celebrate Simcoe Day at Fort York in Toronto Aug.6, 2012

This video presents “Fort York, Toronto, Ontario, Canada”:

  • “Toronto’s historic Fort York has the largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings in Canada.
  • Over 200 volunteers come from all over North America to provide battle re-enactments, military drills, parades and other colorful activities.
  • The fort itself was an important harbor defense until 1888 and was in military use until World War II.
  • On the grounds are poignant remnants of early military life”

Simcoe Day Celebration

at Fort York National Historic Site

FREE Family Admission

250 Fort York Blvd.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Monday, August 6, 2012

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

City Building: Simcoe to Skyscrapers (Walking Tour) 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Come learn about the birthplace of modern Toronto and thrill to the sounds of musketry, cannons and the fife and drum:

  • On this Simcoe day, Toronto celebrates the legacy of Fort York and its place in Toronto’s history:
    • The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will be at Fort York National Historic Site in Toronto on Simcoe Day – Monday, August 6 – from 1 to 2 p.m.
      • To celebrate the first Lieutenant Governor, John Graves Simcoe
      • Simcoe was the founder of Fort York and the Town of York, now known as Toronto
    • Lieutenant Governor Onley will be joined by City of Toronto representative Councillor Paul Ainslie (Ward 43 Scarborough East) at this Simcoe Day event
  • Visitors will enjoy:
    • a parade and salute to the Lieutenant Governor, which will be performed by re-enactors uniformed as King’s troops from the War of 1812 era:
      • the historic units will also participate in a combined musket-and-artillery-firing tactical demonstration after the parade
    • tours
      • City Building: Simcoe to Skyscrapers
        • A Fort York Historic District Walking Tour
        • Meet at the fort canteen/admission desk
        • Monday, August 6 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
        • This tour highlights the:
          • founding of York (Toronto) by Lt. Governor John G. Simcoe
          • Battle of York (1813)
          • fortification and development of the harbour
          • eventual industrial, recreational and residential growth of this vital area
        • FREE
    • exhibits
    • demonstrations of musketry, cannon and fife-and-drum music
    • historic cooking in Fort York’s 1826 kitchen
    • learning about Simcoe and the founding of York and Fort York
      • through an exhibition provided by the Ontario Black History Society
      • visitors can learn about the first Lieutenant Governor, John Graves Simcoe:
        • his connection to the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 – which, decades after his death, ended slavery in the British Empire on August 1, 1834
        • Lieutenant Governor Simcoe founded the town of York (Toronto) in 1793 and was the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada (Ontario)

Please click here for more info on Fort York National Historic Site , or call 416-392-6907.

Furthermore, TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) is reminding you that you can make travel easier this Simcoe Day weekend with a TTC Day/Family Pass:

  • For $10.50 a day, a TTC Day Pass provides unlimited one day travel for a group of up to six people:
    • maximum two adults
    • and not more than four children/youths; 19 years of age or under
  • The pass is valid from the start of service until 5:30 a.m. the next morning.

TTC Contact Info:

  • Information on fares, routes, schedules and service
    • 416-393-4636 (INFO)
    • Recorded information available 24 hours daily
    • Operator-assisted service is available from 8:00am to 6:00pm daily, except statutory holidays
  •  Main Switchboard
    • 416-393-4000  Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

Please click here for background info and architectural style & interior design info on Fort York National Historic Site, as well as the biography of John Graves Simcoe.

Happy Simcoe Day!

You're Invited: Celebrate Simcoe Day at Fort York in Toronto August 6, 2012
You’re Invited: Celebrate Simcoe Day at Fort York in Toronto August 6, 2012

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

NEWS RELEASE

August 2, 2012

Lieutenant Governor of Ontario at Fort York on Simcoe Day

The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will be at Fort York National Historic Site in Toronto on Simcoe Day – Monday, August 6 – from 1 to 2 p.m. to celebrate the first Lieutenant Governor, John Graves Simcoe. Simcoe was the founder of Fort York and the Town of York, now known as Toronto.

Lieutenant Governor Onley will be joined by City of Toronto representative Councillor Paul Ainslie (Ward 43 Scarborough East) at this Simcoe Day event.

Through an exhibition provided by the Ontario Black History Society, visitors can learn about the first Lieutenant Governor and his connection to the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 – which, decades after his death, ended slavery in the British Empire on August 1, 1834.

A parade and salute to the Lieutenant Governor will be performed by re-enactors uniformed as King’s troops from the War of 1812 era. The historic units will also participate in a combined musket-and-artillery-firing tactical demonstration after the parade.

Fort York, at 250 Fort York Blvd., will celebrate Simcoe Day with free family admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can enjoy tours, exhibits, musket and cannon demonstrations, fife-and-drum music and historic cooking in the 1826 kitchen while learning about Simcoe and the founding of York and Fort York.

Fort York National Historic Site is one of 10 historic museums operated by the City of Toronto. For more information, the public can call 416-392-6907 or visit http://www.toronto.ca/fortyork.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.7 million people. Toronto’s government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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