Heliconian Hall

Toronto Heliconian Club

There are two plaques at this location.
Both can be seen on this page.

Photos and transcription by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted October, 2011

To me, the top of this building looks a bit like a face. See the two circular eyes, the arching eyebrows, the inverted-V shaped nose and the round circular mouth? Right? Anyway, here at the Heliconian Hall National Historic Site at 35 Hazelton Avenue is an Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque. Here's what it says:

Plaque coordinates: 43.672093 -79.393440

This distinctive hall, home of the Heliconian Club since 1923, was built as a Carpenter Gothic Revival Style church in 1876. Established in 1909, the club brought together professional women from an eclectic mix of artistic disciplines, including music, art, dance, drama, and literature, offering a much needed venue where they were free to express, share, and develop their talents at a time when men dominated the arts. Heliconian Hall, with its stage, exhibit space, and fine acoustics, has served as an important centre for artistic activity, promoting the place of women in the arts in Canada.

Photo by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted October, 2011

A 1983 Toronto Historical Board plaque attached to the left door has this to say:

The Heliconian Club, founded in 1909 to provide a forum for women in the arts, purchased this property in 1923. Opened in 1876 as the Olivet Congregational Church, this small Gothic Revival building became the church hall and Sunday school in 1890 when a large adjacent building was erected. In 1921 it was sold to the Painters' Union and named Hazleton Hall. When acquired by the Haliconian Club it was extensively renovated as its permanent home. Over the years the membership of the Heliconian Club has included many Canadian women distinguished in the arts.

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