Toronto’s history is vibrant. The city, beautiful. I find that it’s easy to take it for granted. Doors Open Toronto is an annual event in which communities, businesses and people from across the city open their doors (hence the name) to the public, and allow community members access to parts of the city that are usually closed off. It is an event that reminds us of how interesting and dynamic Toronto is.
Today I took the opportunity to explore Toronto’s west end, and visited three sites. I was advised that three to five is a good number of places to visit, because you didn’t want to feel rushed or end up exhausted. I was deliberate in the three places that I chose. I wanted the opportunity to meet the volunteer tour guides and ask questions. I surmised that some of the more popular locations would not afford me those more personal touches, so I opted for sites a little more off the beaten track.
I hopped on my scooter, and took off for the Congregation of Knesseth Israel, also known as the Junction Shul. This synagogue was built in 1911 in an area of the city populated by an eastern European Jewish community, mostly from Poland and Russia. It is Toronto’s oldest original synagogue still in use today.
I was the first to arrive for the day, and was given a personal tour, shown the various elements inside the sanctuary. I was shown the mikveh in the basement, and learned about how the Junction Shul is now maintained by the descendants of the original founders. I delighted in learning about how the community managed to reduce costs by doing things like painting the grain on the wood to make it look more expensive. What a beautiful building.
Next I visited the historic Lambton House, which was a hotel and tavern from 1847 to 1988, on the banks of the Humber River. During this period, it was a bustling area, surrounded by saw mills, grist mills, wool mills and the local post office. On my tour, I learned about life in the area, the strategic importance of its location and about some of the quirks and history of the building. The tour was charming and in-depth.
I concluded my first Doors Open Toronto with a stop at Montgomery’s Inn on Dundas. It was closed. I consulted my Doors Open T.O. guide, and realized it wouldn’t be opening until later that day. It didn’t stop me from walking around the grounds and reading up on the history of the Inn. It was built in 1832 and restored in 1847. It was built on the colonial route that connected the city of York – now Toronto – with Dundas and around Lake Ontario to the Niagara region. I discovered that the architecture is Georgian, and was used as a tavern and lodgings. I’ll have to come back next year and get the full tour!
Overall, the GIO in T.O. Doors Open T.O. was an excellent experience! I had a blast exploring the city.
