William Morris 192nd Birthday and Lecture

March 28, 2026, Time: 2:00 PM EST
(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

 

 

Lecture: “Eden Smith, Toronto’s Arts and Crafts Architect”

 

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: 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.