Free General Admission at City of Toronto History Museums

As of May 1, 2022, general admission to 10 Toronto History Museums became permanently free. The museums encompass a cross-section of property types (a fort; a farm; an inn; a mill and brewery; a schoolhouse; an estate, etc.) and include: Colborne Lodge, Fort York National Historic Site, Gibson House Museum, Mackenzie House, Market Gallery, Montgomery’s Inn, Scarborough Museum, Spadina Museum, Todmorden Mills and Zion Schoolhouse. The group of museums themselves are as diverse as our communities.

Located across the city, the 10 museums collect artifacts, conduct research, present exhibitions and enhance public understanding of Toronto’s diverse stories through engaging programs. They are owned and operated by the City of Toronto.

Mayor Tory officially proclaimed May as Museum Month at the City of Toronto.

Museum Month is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of museums to their communities and to kick off this summer’s tourism season. The theme of this year’s International Museum Day (May 18) is The Power of Museums, highlighting the many ways that museums can and are bringing positive change to their communities—by contributing to sustainability, through digital innovation, accessibility and education.

Toronto History Museums are committed to dismantling museums’ ongoing colonial legacies and working towards fostering reconciliation and healing. In 2020, Toronto History Museums adopted a bold and transformative mission, vision and narrative. Grounded in equity, anti-racism and anti-oppression, all 10 Toronto History Museums began to re-evaluate the stories they share, and the way they are shared, to create space for communities and impart knowledge.

The museums are rethinking historical interpretations and highlighting histories that are lesser discussed, such as the deep Indigenous connection to the land and the lives of the staff who work in these historic sites.

The histories you’ll experience at the City’s 10 Toronto History Museums are not tales penned by a select few. They are stories written and told by the many who shape them. They are as diverse as the perspectives and experiences of Toronto residents.

May programming highlights:

Awakenings Artist Mentorship Program: A Revolution of Love Live Performances in partnership with Soulpepper Theatre Company
This series of live performance art and an installation features newly-created works by eight artists from the 2021 Awakenings Artist Mentorship Program cohort working under the guidance of Weyni Mengesha, Artistic Director and Academy Faculty at Soulpepper Theatre Company. These performance artists created customized work for specific Toronto History Museum sites, guided by questions such as how do we acknowledge the colonial past of the historic sites and our city? What would a revolution of love and healing be like?

In-person experiences start in May and run until July. Book your free tickets now. To learn more about all the artists and mentors, visit the Soulpepper website.

Doors Open Toronto
All 10 Toronto History Museums will be open as part of Doors Open Toronto, presented by Great Gulf on May 28 and 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Toronto Biennial of Art at Fort York
Until June 30, experience the poignant new video installation DISH DANCES by Ange Loft and Jumblies Theatre & Arts as part of Toronto Biennial of Art. Created in collaboration with a team of artists, choreographers, dancers and composers. DISH DANCES combines music, song and movement to expand ideas about the governance and sustainability of the land.

Market Gallery showcases 60 Works / 60 Years: Toronto Outdoor Art Fair at 60
The 60 Works / 60 Years: Toronto Outdoor Art Fair at 60 exhibit celebrates the history of the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair and features 60 artworks from the City of Toronto Art Collection acquired from the fair over the years.

The Toronto History Museums’ Awakenings program is the recipient of the 2021 Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Community Leadership. More information about Toronto History Museums is available online or follow Toronto History Museums on Twitter, on Instagram, on Facebook and on YouTube.

Contact: Michele Simpson, michele.simpson@toronto.ca