A lecture by Jane Beecroft

Friday, April 25, 2003, at 7:30 pm

Room 205, Claude Bissell Building, 140 St. George Street, Toronto

A lecture by Jane Beecroft, founder of the Community History Project and the Society of Heritage Associates, on the problems of preserving heritage buildings and neighbourhoods in the city.

For many years Jane Beecroft has been at the forefront of efforts to save the older buildings and neighbourhoods of Toronto. Although the main focus of her organization, the Community History Project, is the area bounded by Bloor Street, St. Clair Avenue, Yonge Street and Dovercourt Road, her wider interest embraces the whole of Toronto and beyond. The perceptive reader will see immediately that the Community History Project’s area of special interest includes many neighbourhoods that Morrisians find most interesting in the city: Yorkville, the Annex, Poplar Plains, the Casa Loma environs, and Wychwood Park. Jane’s efforts to save Yorkville alone have been nothing short of heroic, and her current campaign to prevent the complete destruction and redevelopment of the North Side of Yorkville Avenue will comprise a major theme of her lecture. Another important ongoing project is the preservation and relocation of the only toll keeper’s cottage still remaining in Toronto. In their dedication to heritage preservation, Jane Beecroft and her volunteers are firmly in the tradition of William Morris and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

FREE ADMISSION

Directions: The building faces St George Street just north of the main Robarts Library - less than one minute walk south of Sussex Avenue. Walk up a flight of concrete steps to the revolving doors which lead into a lobby and the main floor lecture auditorium. Those who prefer or require a ramp rather than stairs will find one on the north side of the building on Sussex Avenue. Underground parking is available across the road. Nearest subway is St George (west exit).