Jane’s Walk: “High Park: An Arts and Crafts Inspired Tour of Eden Smith Homes” with Adrian Gamble

We’re pleased to let you know that the WMSC will be participating in Jane’s Walk this year. Jane’s Walk is a festival of free community-led walks held across the world in honour of urbanist and activist Jane Jacobs. Jacobs lived for many years in Toronto, and promoted the value of the walkable city. 

 

Eden Smith Home (Photo: Lera Kotsyuba, 2017)

 

The WMSC is supporting “High Park: An Arts and Crafts Inspired Tour of Eden Smith Homes” on Saturday, May 2 at 2 pm. The walk will be led by Adrian Gamble.

Founded in 1876 following a 120-acre land grant to the City of Toronto by surveyor and civil engineer John George Howard (1803-1890), High Park has long since been a treasured public space. Soon after its founding and subsequent expansions, developers lost little time subdividing the lands to the north and east of the park, with new neighbourhoods and homes seemingly rising overnight. 



Among the first to make the move was Arts and Crafts architect Eden Smith (1858-1949) who built a collection of homes along Indian Road and Boustead Avenue just east of High Park. Built for himself and his friends and acquaintances from the Toronto arts scene, Smith’s High Park homes were inspired by the natural beauty of the park. In keeping with the principles of the Arts and Crafts Movement, Smith’s High Park homes feature natural materials, traditional craftsmanship, and a strong reliance on the picturesque. Built into their surroundings, these homes, as a precursor to Smith’s later designs in Wychwood Park, remain a testament to the architect’s unique vision. 



The tour will begin at the Eden Smith House at 267 Indian Road and continue north to Boustead Avenue passing several fine examples of the architect’s work.

 

Walk Start Location:
High Park: Eden Smith House at 267 Indian Road (south of Hewitt Avenue)

Walk End Location:
High Park: Ivy Lodge at 94 Boustead Avenue (east of Indian Road)

Adrian Gamble (PhD) is a historian, lecturer, and Heritage Planner for the City of Toronto. Adrian’s PhD specialized in the cultural history of the Canadian Arts and Crafts Movement and domestic revival with a focus on the work of architects Eden Smith of Toronto, Percy Nobbs of Montreal, and Samuel Maclure of Victoria/Vancouver.

No registration is required. This is an opportunity for our own members, and to "spread the word" to the general public about the WMSC.
https://www.janeswalkfestivalto.com/saturday-may-2-2026-1/high-park-an-arts-and-crafts-inspired-tour-of-eden-smith-homes
 

WMSC 192 Birthday Lecture and Cake!

 

Celebration of William Morris' 192nd birthday by the WMSC.

We hosted a wonderful gathering on the event of William Morris' 192nd birthday. Andrew Pruss gave a lecture on Eden Smith and Arts & Crafts architecture in Canada! He also gave the celebratory toast!

 

 Andrew Pruss delivering a lecture on Eden Smith

 

 

Andrew Pruss giving a toast in celebration of the birthday event.

 

 2026 Cake Pattern: Tulip

Our pattern this year is Tulip from 1875, designed by William Morris.

Featuring a chocolate cake filled with cherries, mascarpone cream, buttercream, and whipped cream. Topped with fondant and royal icing decorations, hand painted with food colouring!

Our stunning cake made by WMSC member Lera Kotsyuba!

Watch the YouTube video below to see how it was made!

 

William Morris Birthday Lecture: Eden Smith - Toronto's Arts & Crafts Architect

 

William Morris Birthday Lecture

Eden Smith: Toronto’s Arts & Crafts Architect

March 28, 2026, Time: 2:00 PM EDT
(Doors open 1:30 PM)
Location: Tartu College, 310 Bloor St. West, Main Hall (basement level), Toronto.

In-Person and Zoom Event

 

Eden Smith Home (Photo: Lera Kotsyuba, 2017)

 

 

 

This talk will review Eden Smith’s exposure to Arts and Crafts thinking while he apprenticed and studied in Birmingham, and how he applied these ideas through a survey of key works completed in Toronto from 1891 to 1920. These include the Church of St. Thomas, St Hilda’s and Trinity College student residences, the Studio Building, the Spruce and Riverdale Court apartments, three public libraries and a selection of private houses, which were the focus of his practice. What may have led to his early retirement from architectural practice in 1920? And what is his legacy today?

Andrew Pruss is a Principal at ERA Architects in Toronto. His work focuses on Adaptive Re-Use, Heritage Conservation and Heritage Planning. He is a graduate of the U. of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Architecture. Andrew has been involved in many landmark sites including the Distillery District, the Don Jail, and Union Station Revitalization. Andrew last presented to the WMSC in 2017, on the public libraries designed by Eden Smith.

Following the lecture will be a presentation of this year’s birthday cake, and a toast to celebrate Morris’s 192nd birthday!

 

 

 

To take part in the celebrations in-person, please register by Friday, March 20, 2026. 

$15 for Society members, $25 for guests. Capacity is limited.

Register for the in-person event: https://forms.gle/8m7BH9iJ5wyvEtSt7

 

Payment link: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/ENB7MFJYTEHG6

 

Register for Zoom (no charge): https://forms.gle/Nsez4nCEKdUVR18F8   

 

How to get there:
Tartu College is between Spadina and St. George subway stations. Entrance to the Main Hall is on Madison Ave., around the corner from Tartu's front door.

Attendees with mobility issues, please be aware that it will be necessary to use a set of 5 shallow stairs to the basement level. We can assist those using canes or walkers; please note on the registration form if you will need help. 

Online Lecture: Women in Print: 150 Years of Liberty Textiles

 

Women in Print: 150 Years of Liberty Textiles

On Zoom from the UK at 2 pm EST
Sunday, February 15, 2026

Our speaker will be Róisín Inglesby, Curator at the William Morris Gallery in London. She is co-curator of Women in Print: 150 Years of Liberty Textiles. Róisín previously worked on the Young Poland exhibit, and has had various curatorial roles including at the V&A.

The William Morris Gallery’s current exhibit, Women in Print: 150 Years of Liberty Textiles, was conceived in partnership with Liberty Fabrics on the occasion of the design house’s 150th anniversary. Tracing the rich history of Liberty Fabrics, Women in Print explores the evolving influence and status of women in textiles over the past 150 years.

The exhibit brings together iconic patterns by designers including Althea McNish, Susan Collier, Sarah Campbell, and Lucienne Day, alongside previously overlooked names. It features over 100 works, including garments, fabric, original designs, film and historic photographs.

Women in Print is curated by Rowan Bain, Principal Curator of Collections and Programme and Róisín Inglesby, Curator William Morris Gallery.

WMS-US VIRTUAL EVENT: Arts and Crafts Architecture across America: A book talk with Maureen Meister

 

WMS-US VIRTUAL EVENT: Arts and Crafts Architecture across America: A book talk with Maureen Meister

Friday January 30 2026, 12:30–1:30 pm Eastern Time on Zoom

Join us for a talk about Maureen Meister's exciting new book, Arts and Crafts Architecture across America, which has recently been published by Yale University Press.

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Maureen's research. After the talk there will be time for questions and discussion.

Maureen Meister, PhD, has published extensively on topics related to the Arts and Crafts movement and American architects associated with it. She has taught at Boston area universities including Tufts, Lesley, and Northeastern. She's a former board member of the William Morris Society in the United States.

WMSC Holiday Party 2025!

William Morris Society of Canada
Holiday Party

Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 6 pm
Faculty Club, University of Toronto, 41 Willcocks St.

 

This year we will return to a traditional BUFFET setting! There will be many delicious dishes on offer (see attached menu) from which you will choose your own festive meal, including turkey, striploin, salmon, and gluten free and vegan options. Table seats will not be assigned; come early and sit with your friends, or get to know someone new…we Morrisians are an amiable sort! Readings and prizes will add to a fun evening.

The dinner cost is $89 for members, which includes a three-course meal, tea/coffee, tax and tip. Non-member guests are welcome to attend for $99 per person. A bartending service will be on hand for wine and beer, at an additional cost (credit or debit only).

Dinner will start at 6 p.m. but the room will be available from 5:15 p.m. for mingling.

You can register at https://forms.gle/zDuBugt8wJauiScz8 and pay via PayPal at https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/RNDF65XZUW3PL. You'll notice the drop down menu has options to pay for 1 or 2 members, 1 member and 1 guest, etc.  Please register and pay by November 28, 2025.

Given the mail disruptions this year, we recommend that you pay via PayPal.

 

WMSC Zoom Event: Old City Hall film screening

 

Old City Hall - Film Screening

November 19, 2025, Time: 7:00 PM EDT

Members only Zoom Event

 

Old City Hall, Toronto (1901) - City of Toronto Archives (Fonds 1231, Item 311)
 

 

Toronto’s Old City Hall opened in 1899 and has had two very distinct lives. It started as a combined city hall and courthouse but was mostly thought of as The City Hall. After City politicians and administrators moved to Viljo Revel’s futuristic New City Hall in 1965, OCH continued as a Courthouse only, the biggest in the country. It is now shut and awaits a decision from the City as to its future.

 

OCH has already had two near-death experiences: from the downtown Toronto fire of 1904, and clearance for the construction of The Eaton Centre in the 1960’s. The film makes clear what a spectacular building it is and why it is worth preserving. 

The film is the story of the building’s architect, architecture and place in history as the centre of civic life of Toronto for 66 years. It includes wonderful footage of the interior including murals, stained glass, woodwork and courtrooms. It is hoped the film will be a catalyst for a discussion of the future of the building.

 

 

Michael Kainer practiced law in Toronto until his retirement and is a self-taught filmmaker. He has co-produced two documentary shorts and five feature length films. All have Toronto historical and cultural themes. The WMSC showed Michael's film “Not just an Island: A History of the Toronto Island” in 2022. Michael has worked extensively in the Toronto arts and non-profit communities both as a lawyer and volunteer.