Here are links to websites about Toronto, Toronto history, Ontario and Canadian history and UK history
The following is an extensive list of links to external websites about Toronto, Toronto history, Ontario and Canadian history, as well as selected sites about U.K. locations pertaining to history. These resources have been carefully curated to provide a comprehensive overview for history enthusiasts, researchers, and casual learners alike. When a link is selected, it will open in a new browser window for your convenience. To return to this page, simply close the new window. The links immediately following this introduction will navigate you to different sections of this page; the small triangles in the left-hand column will return you to the top.
The official website of the City of Toronto This is the primary online resource for Toronto’s municipal government. It offers a wealth of information about city services, local government, and community initiatives. The website features an extensive section on Toronto’s rich cultural heritage, including a comprehensive guide to the city’s museums. This guide is an invaluable resource for those interested in exploring Toronto’s diverse historical and cultural institutions, from small community museums to major attractions.
Toronto.com While primarily a contemporary guide to the city, Toronto.com often features articles and listings related to historical sites and events. It provides up-to-date information on weather, traffic, and entertainment, making it a useful resource for both residents and visitors interested in exploring Toronto’s past and present.
Toronto Public Library Digital Archive This extensive online collection is a treasure trove for researchers and history enthusiasts. It includes digitized versions of rare books, historical photographs, maps, manuscripts, and ephemera related to Toronto’s history. Of particular interest are the historical city directories, which provide valuable insights into the city’s social and economic development over time.
City of Toronto Archives As the official repository for the City of Toronto’s historical records, this institution plays a crucial role in preserving the city’s documentary heritage. The website provides detailed information about the archives’ vast holdings, which include government records, private manuscripts, photographs, maps, and architectural drawings dating back to the late 18th century. Researchers can access finding aids and digital exhibits, making it easier to explore Toronto’s rich history.
Heritage Toronto This non-profit organization is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Toronto’s cultural and architectural heritage. Their website offers information about historical plaques, walking tours, and lectures that bring the city’s past to life. Heritage Toronto plays a vital role in advocating for the preservation of significant buildings and educating the public about the importance of urban heritage.
University of Toronto History & Traditions The University of Toronto, founded in 1827, has been an integral part of the city’s intellectual and cultural life for nearly two centuries. This page on the university’s website delves into its rich history, notable alumni, and longstanding traditions. It offers insights into how the institution has shaped and been shaped by Toronto’s development over the years.
Toronto’s First Post Office Now operating as both a working post office and a postal museum, this site offers a unique glimpse into early Toronto (then known as York) communication systems. The website provides historical context for the building, which dates back to 1833, and offers information about exhibits that showcase the evolution of postal services in the city.
Campbell House Museum This website is dedicated to one of the oldest surviving buildings in Toronto, the former home of Sir William Campbell, Chief Justice of Upper Canada. Built in 1822, the house now serves as a museum offering visitors a look into upper-class life in early 19th century Toronto. The website features a virtual tour, historical information, and details about current exhibitions and events.
The Grange As part of the Art Gallery of Ontario, The Grange represents one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the city. Built in 1817, it has been meticulously restored to reflect its 19th-century appearance. The website provides historical context for the building and its former occupants, as well as information about current exhibitions that often focus on Toronto’s social and cultural history.
Black Creek Pioneer Village This living history museum offers visitors a chance to step back in time to a typical Ontario village of the 1860s. With over 40 restored buildings, costumed interpreters, and demonstrations of period crafts and skills, it provides an immersive historical experience. The website offers detailed information about the village’s buildings, special events, and educational programs that bring 19th-century Ontario to life.
Casa Loma This early 20th-century castle in the heart of Toronto stands as a testament to the city’s Edwardian-era grandeur. Built between 1911 and 1914 by financier Sir Henry Pellatt, Casa Loma offers visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle of Toronto’s elite in the early 1900s. The website provides historical context, virtual tours, and information about the castle’s architecture and former residents.
Doors Open Toronto This annual event, typically held in May, allows the public free access to buildings of architectural, historical, cultural, and social significance across Toronto. Many of these buildings are not usually open to the public, making this a unique opportunity to explore the city’s hidden heritage. The website provides a comprehensive list of participating sites, along with historical information and photographs.
Bruce Bell Tours Bruce Bell, a renowned local historian, offers engaging walking tours that bring Toronto’s history to life. His website contains fascinating information about the city’s early days, particularly focusing on the Old Town of York (now the St. Lawrence Market area). Bell’s tours and writings offer in-depth insights into the social, architectural, and economic history of Toronto.
Muddy York Walking Tours This company specializes in themed historical walking tours of Toronto. Their offerings cover various aspects of the city’s past, from its architectural heritage to its more notorious criminal history. The website provides details about available tours and serves as a resource for those interested in exploring Toronto’s hidden historical gems on foot.
Toronto City Directories The Toronto Public Library’s collection of digitized historical city directories is an invaluable resource for researchers, genealogists, and history enthusiasts. These directories, some dating back to the mid-19th century, provide a unique snapshot of the city’s residents, businesses, and social structure over time. The website offers guidance on how to access and use these directories for historical research.
blogTO – Toronto While primarily focused on current events and lifestyle content, this popular Toronto blog frequently features articles about the city’s history. It often highlights forgotten landmarks, shares vintage photographs, and explores the stories behind Toronto’s neighborhoods and cultural institutions. The site serves as a bridge between the city’s past and present, making history accessible to a broad audience.
About Ontario – History This official government page offers a comprehensive overview of Ontario’s rich history. It covers the province’s development from pre-colonial times through to the present day, highlighting key events, figures, and social changes that have shaped Ontario. The resource is particularly valuable for its insights into the province’s Indigenous heritage, colonial period, and evolution as part of Canada.
Ontario Museum Association This website serves as a central hub for information about museums and historical sites across Ontario. It provides a searchable database of institutions, allowing users to explore the province’s diverse cultural heritage offerings. Each listing typically includes details about the museum’s focus, location, opening hours, and admission fees, making it an essential resource for anyone planning to explore Ontario’s history in person.
Ontario Heritage Trust As the province’s leading heritage conservation organization, the Ontario Heritage Trust plays a crucial role in identifying, protecting, and promoting Ontario’s rich and diverse heritage. Their website offers information about significant historical sites, cultural landscapes, and natural areas across the province. It also provides resources for property owners, educators, and anyone interested in Ontario’s heritage conservation efforts.
Archives of Ontario This is the official repository for the government records of Ontario, as well as a vast collection of private manuscripts, photographs, maps, and architectural drawings related to the province’s history. The website features searchable databases, online exhibits, and detailed guides to their holdings. It’s an invaluable resource for researchers, genealogists, and anyone interested in delving deep into Ontario’s documentary heritage.
The Canadian County Atlas Digital Project Hosted by McGill University, this project has digitized a series of county atlases from Ontario dating to the last quarter of the 19th century. These atlases, which include detailed maps, biographical sketches, and business directories, offer a unique window into the social and economic landscape of late 19th-century Ontario. The website allows users to search and browse these materials, making it a valuable tool for both academic researchers and genealogists.
Ontario’s Historical Plaques This comprehensive website catalogs the thousands of historical plaques that dot the Ontario landscape. These plaques, which commemorate significant people, places, and events in the province’s history, offer bite-sized historical narratives that collectively tell the story of Ontario. The website allows users to search plaques by location or theme, making it an excellent resource for both armchair historians and those planning historical road trips across the province.
Canadian Resources
Canada’s flag is called the Maple Leaf Flag. It has a red field with a white square in the centre, showing an 11-point red maple leaf. It was officially adopted on 15 February 1965 after a long debate.
Library and Archives Canada This is Canada’s national library and archives, holding an vast collection of documents, books, photographs, films, and other materials related to Canadian history and culture. The website offers access to numerous digitized collections, including census records, military files, and immigration documents. It’s an essential starting point for anyone researching Canadian history or genealogy.
CBC Digital Archives The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s digital archives offer a unique audiovisual perspective on Canadian history. This collection includes radio and television clips dating back several decades, covering major events, cultural phenomena, and everyday life in Canada. It’s a valuable resource for experiencing history through the eyes and ears of contemporary Canadians.
Canadian Museum of History Located in Gatineau, Quebec, this is Canada’s national museum of human history. The website offers virtual exhibitions, educational resources, and information about Canada’s cultural and social history from ancient times to the present day. It’s particularly strong in its coverage of Indigenous history and the early colonial period.
Canadiana Online This digital library provides access to millions of pages of Canada’s printed heritage, from the time of the first European settlers up to the early 20th century. It includes books, magazines, and government publications, offering invaluable primary sources for researchers and history enthusiasts. While some content requires a subscription, a significant portion is freely accessible.
The Canadian Encyclopedia Maintained by Historica Canada, this comprehensive online encyclopedia covers all aspects of Canadian history, culture, geography, and contemporary life. It offers in-depth articles on a wide range of topics, written and reviewed by experts in their fields. The encyclopedia is continuously updated, making it a reliable source for current information as well as historical content.
War of 1812 This online exhibition by the Canadian War Museum offers a comprehensive look at the War of 1812, a conflict that played a crucial role in shaping Canadian identity. The site provides detailed information about the causes of the war, key battles, and its long-term impact on Canada, the United States, and Indigenous nations.
Canadian Soldiers of the First World War Hosted by Library and Archives Canada, this database contains the service files of over 600,000 members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) who served in the First World War. It’s an invaluable resource for genealogists and researchers interested in Canada’s contribution to the Great War.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission While not exclusively Canadian, this organization maintains the graves and memorials of Commonwealth forces members who died in the two World Wars, including many Canadians