Doors Open Toronto: City Hall

Sorry about yesterday folks. I had nothing to write or think about here. So I was scrolling through blog posts and pictures and realized that I hadn't done City Hall when I talked about the Doors Open event. So here they are. From the the observation deck all the way down to the main rotunda. Just pictures, no more comment.

Doors Open Toronto: Osgoode Hall

Okay this post is going to be short on text and long on pictures. I had a lot of fun that weekend. Went to a lot of sites that I normally wouldn't have known about or gone to normally. I may due two bonus posts this weekend to catch up with two other locations. So onto Osgoode Hall, home of courts, lawyers, and libraries...
















Paladin Phil

Doors Open Toronto: Montgomery Inn

Out by Islington and Dundas Ave there lies Montgomery Inn.

The tavern liscenced in 1848 to the Montgomery family "To keep the House known by the sign of the Plough". It didn't used to be part of Toronto. In fact it was about a half days travel from the city at the time. It was a place where travelers and farmers would stop on the way and from visiting the city. Some to trade others just traveling. Unfortunately I missed the sign of the Plough, apparently original and saved by neighbours. I arrived late in the afternoon on a Sunday that had me going from sunrise practically.
I took a couple pictures of the exterior and made my way to the modern entrance that leads to the kitchen. The old inn itself has very little modern renovations. A smoke detector here and there, but nothing else. There was a lady cooking in the kitchen on the fire place itself. Talking about the way things were done and things they had to keep an eye on.


After the kitchen I made my way to the tavern room where the gents would hang out after a long day in the field. Along with a few travelers. All the furniture here is of the rough variety. Nothing of worth would be placed here. The current furniture is all semi-period pieces. Not many of the original furniture items were left to the Inn when it changed hands before it became a historic building.





Upstairs from the tavern was the public rooms and beds. I keep having to watch my head in these areas. No head room at all.



After this I wandered through the downstairs portion of the family areas and back into the kitchen where I took a look at the pantry and washing area.





Well that's it for the inn. Tomorrow I think I will finish the week off with Osgoode Hall.

Paladin Phil

Doors Open Toronto: Old Fort York

Things have changed a lot since this place was built and rebuilt. In fact not much of the place has changed since that cold spring morning of April 27, 1813 when Fort York was burned and destroyed during the following five days occupation of the American military force lead by the late Zebulon Pike. Also in this battle was one Ichabod Crane who lead the B company 3rd U.S. Artillery.

the only major change of Fort York is the lake is further away and Garrison Creek is no longer flows along it's east side.



Soldiers no longer drill or parade. Cannons are now just climbed on by children, and the barracks are empty of soldiers.




It's a nice place to wander when there are no crowds. Going into and out of barracks and block houses, looking at displays of life and hardships they endured. I know for a fact that I could empathize with the soldiers common lot. Only thing that probably has changed are the uniform styles and the tools of the trade. They still complained about bad food, weather, officers, troops...the usual stuff.






I have been to this fort one time before. Back around 1975 I think it was. Been a long time and I was much smaller then. I didn't realize how small some of these buildings were, I mean I think I had to watch my head in every single building.



The nice part was that there was a man dressed up in uniform of one of the units that was stationed at Fort York. He had two muskets and one rifle on display. The rifle was one of the Harper Ferry models, I forget which exact one. When there was a large enough group he did a demonstration of a muzzle load and fire. Blank cartridges only...





I actually managed to catch several shots of the formation of the smoke ring here. Well thanks for reading my ramble. Tomorrow I believer will be Montgomery Inn.

Paladin Phil