Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

2004 - Now in our 14th Year - 2018

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York Mechanics' Institute 1830-1882

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted March, 2004

Photo Source - Toronto Public Library Digital Archive

On the northeast corner of Church Street and Adelaide Street East stands this Ontario Heritage Trust plaque. Here's what it says:

Coordinates: 43.6514 -79.374917

Click here for a larger map

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.

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