a charming, registered heritage house open to the public at the corner of Bathurst Street and Davenport Road in Toronto. We are one of the few remaining examples of a Tollhouse on nineteenth century roads. See the unique vertical plank construction, and hear about the lifestyle of a working class family.
Open Saturday 12-5pm First Sun of each month 1-4pm
Come to visit the oldest tollhouse surviving anywhere in Canada, when roads were muddy and farmers paid to go downtown amid great hardship to market. See how one tollkeeper’s family lived, up to nine people, crowded, without electricity or running water. Examine their tools, their cookware, their clothing and bedding as our all-volunteer staff take you on a tour back in time to mid-nineteenth century Toronto. View the huge, rough planks that came from a single giant pine tree, a testament to the ancient forests of that time. Look out from here, as they would have, at one of the oldest roads in Ontario, a vestige of the last ice age.
JANE AND THE BLUE WILLOW PRINCESS Catherine reports that she was inspired to write a story based on this discovery of the beautiful blue and white Willow pattern found in this location. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ EXTENSION OF THE PHOTO FIESTA to Monday December 8. Voting by visitors will be held on Cookie Day, Saturday December 13. In order to allow more people to try their hand at winning the grocery gift certificate donated to us by Fiesta Farms, we are extending the deadline into December. Now you have a chance to wander the grounds, view the garden and take some glorious shots of the Cottage from the outside. Inside shots may be taken whenever we're open on Sundays November 9 or December 7; and on all Saturdays until the end of the day December 7. Photo entries will be displayed in the Cottage as they are submitted until December 13, Cookie Day. All photos must be sent to our email tollkeeperscottage@gmail.com by Monday December 8. Want to participate? Let us know at tollkeeperscottage@gmail.com and we'll let you know "the rules". Please remember if your photo includes an identifiable person, they will need to give us their permission, as photos will be displayed in hard copy and online. On Cookie Day, December 13, all visitors will get a chance to VOTE for their favourite shot and determine the winner (you do not have to be present to win). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER ARE YOUR MONTHS TO ENSURE YOUR MEMBERSHIP FOR JAN-DEC 2026 The Tollkeeper's Cottage, operated by the non-profit group, the Community History Project, receives almost no support from government sources (we are not part of the city's system of heritage buildings). That is why your commitment is so important to our dedicated and hard working volunteers. Every member counts in helping us to maintain this unique building of early vertical plank construction, so that its story may survive. Membership is still $20. for an individual and $35. for a family, for which you will receive a tax receipt, a welcoming space to connect with other history enthusiasts, a chance to spend meaningful time in many ways, including gardening, providing tours, writing, giving Talks and an opportunity to vote and shape what happens. NEW MEMBERS Complete the form at the Cottage. Fee is by cash or e-transfer. RENEWING MEMBERS Come to the Cottage or email us. | ||||||||||||||||
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About the Museum
Vertical plank construction Our tollhouse is the oldest tollkeeper’s house surviving anywhere in Canada open for viewing by the public and among the oldest still existing. It is constructed in very rare vertical plank construction (no framing), held…
Bulletins
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Contact Us
Our Location Transit instructions Email no phone The tollkeeper’s cottage is located in The Tollkeeper’s Park (formerly Davenport Square Park) northwest corner of Davenport Road and Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, Canada. Its street address is 750 Davenport Rd….
Community History Project
The COMMUNITY HISTORY PROJECT (CHP) was founded and led by citizen Jane Beecroft as a project for Toronto’s Sesquicentennial or 150th year since its founding. Its purpose was to collect writings and documents primarily from the area in…
Plan your visit
Thanks to Zeitguys Inc, we have brochures for some of our Tours below.. Brochure for Seniors An informative brochure specifically tailored for seniors planning to visit the Tollkeeper’s Cottage. Includes useful tips, historical context, and accessibility information. Download…
Volunteers
For those who would like to volunteer as docents at the Tollkeeper’s Cottage 1. What the Museum offers you: § The opportunity to learn about the history of our roads, and of one of the oldest tollgate…
Children, school groups
Demonstrating Ring toss for a school class Children spinning tops Junior docents