Toronto's Historical Plaques
Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.
York Mechanics' Institute 1830-1882
Her on the north-east corner of Church Street and Adelaide Street East stands an Ontario Heritage Foundation plaque. Here's what it says:
The Mechanics' Institute movement began in Britain and soon spread to North America. Its aim was to teach workers the applied technology behind new methods of manufacture and craftsmanship introduced during the Industrial Revolution. The first Institute in Ontario was established at York (Toronto) in 1830. It sponsored lectures, held classes and operated a lending library. It moved from rented quarters into its own new building on this site in 1861. After passage of the Free Libraries Act in 1882, the Institute transferred its assets to the municipal government. Its book collections formed the foundation of the Toronto Public Library, which opened in the former Institute building in 1884.
Location Co-ordinates: 43.651327 -79.374885
Photo by Alan L Brown - March 2004
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