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 the former Ward 5, which was bounded by Yonge, Bloor, Ossington/Alberta and St. Clair Avenues and to preserve and make these available for research. CHP mounted exhibitions at City Hall and the Spadina Library and prepared a booklet of resource material for the City Planning and Development Department, Celebrity Walks. At first it met in a private home, but its holdings grew so large that it required a designated space. First at and later at.
After the Sesquicentennial Year, CHP began to fundraise by preparing a series of publications over a period of years in order to make available to the public the area’s history and heritage. The efforts included two books of recipes with anecdotal history and a book on the origin of street names in the ward, the latter with some financial support from the Annex Residents’ Association.
After four years of activity, in 1987, the Community History Project became incorporated, with its first Constitution and paid membership. It became involved with local heritage groups and local residents’ associations on plaquing and special studies of heritage buildings. Jane Beecroft began a newsletter to promote awareness and embarked on a series of presentations and advocacy initiatives to preserve many heritage buildings and districts.
Since the discovery and restoration of the Tollkeeper’s Cottage, the Community History Project has increasingly focused its activity on the operation and maintenance of the Tollkeeper’s Cottage.