OUR EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
We’re busy the whole year long preparing for tours by locals as well as visitors from other parts of Canada and the world. Here is a brief review of what you might expect to see if you visit:
JANUARY
The Tollkeeper’s Cottage is closed to the public during January, although inside meetings are going on and docents are working on ideas for the year’s programming.
FEBRUARY
Clothing can be made to last when mended. We offer mending services to your favourite items, along with lessons for you to develop these skills yourself! We also teach knitting and crochet
Late Winter and Spring
We host speakers and researchers who are committed to local history, conservation and sustainable practices. Here is Mark Stabb explaining the Legacy of a Lost Lake. For the speaker series, we request a $10. entrance fee.
APRIL
We may conduct an egg dyeing workshop or Passover craft. Fun for adults as well as children!
MAY
On Victoria Day, we have an outdoor Victoria Day Tea, which allows our guests to celebrate the life of fine conversation and good manners. At our Tea you may, for a few moments, live the life of wealthy Victorians, sitting at lace covered tables, while being served tea in fine China tea cups with scones and clotted cream.
The Pollinator Garden
May is also the month for tidying up our beautiful pollinator garden. We have a loyal group of active gardeners who keep it attractive for visitors, not to mention the birds, bees and butterflies.
JUNE
During this month, as a way to continue our commitment to reuse, we may host a book sale or a sale of previously loved treasures and we usually have the good weather to hold it outside!.
JULY AND AUGUST outdoor, crafts
During the lazy days of summer we might do some outdoor wool dyeing. Activities change according to the interests and skills of the volunteers.
Summer
We may even have a bookreading, like the one by children’s author, Catherine Little
October/November Davenportage
A fearless group of hardy paddlers re-enact the canoe trip made by coureurs de bois across Lake Ontario and up the Humber River, and portage their canoes along the old Davenport Road. Their stop is at the Tollkeeper’s Cottage, where they find refreshment of pea soup and biscuits before continuing onto the Don River.
DECEMBER Ghostly Tales
In true Victorian tradition, we host an evening just before Christmas when our docents tell tales of the supernatural. We invite visitors to tell their own spine tingling stories. The discussion continues afterwards over tea and refreshments.
DECEMBER Cookie day
One of our most popular annual events is our fundraiser, Cookie Day. Our diligent baker volunteers create delicious cookies at modest prices and here we see many of our friends and members, and sometimes also our political representatives. The table is festive and we wish each other Happy Holidays.
Volunteer Potluck Dinner
Our volunteers work very hard to keep the Cottage clean and well-maintained, and they plan and carry out many annual activities. This event is a time for them to gather together for a delicious dinner shared among people who love this modest heritage house. Well done all!
RENT OUR SPACE
Rent Our Space
We are happy to rent space in our resource area to individuals and non-profit organizations. In the past we have done so for birthday parties, wedding showers and environmental and historical groups and book clubs. Please be aware that fire regulations allow a maximum of 35 people in the resource area. Generally, the heritage Cottage itself is not available for rental.
We charge $40. per hour with a three-hour minimum payable at the time of use. There is a working kitchen, including an oven, small refrigerator and microwave oven. You may use our basic kitchen equipment. There is one bathroom on site. Our heat pump provides heat and air conditioning as needed.
Note also that the Cottage is not served by the internet; your devices must have their own provider, or you may set up a hot spot. We do not have telephone service; please ensure that you have a cell phone with you.
Should you arrange a rental agreement with us, one of our volunteers will be on site during that time.
HISTORICAL WALKING TOURS
Historical Walking Tours
You can join a group led by one of our docents to take a 2 hour walking tour featuring the history, geology, architecture, and gossip in any of 8 local areas.
Sign up to be notified when a visit is planned! Or if you wish, you can purchase a leaflet outlining the walk and do it on your own or with friends. But it is more fun with a guide!
Areas for our walks: Wychwood Park, the West Annex, the East Annex, Seaton Village, the Christie Pits area, the Casa Loma area, Tarragon Village, and the Garrison Creek ravine. Leaflets cost $5, and on the guided walks, we ask for a donation.
Send us an email at tollkeeperscottage@gmail.com and ask to be added to the list! Or come in to the museum and buy a leaflet. When a walk is advertised by email, and 4 or more people sign up, the walk is a go! We walk in a light rain, but not a downpour, and we avoid temperatures above 30C or so.
FIND US
the Tollkeeper’s Cottage Museum
750 Davenport Road at Bathurst Street
Open Saturdays 11–5; first Sunday of the month, 1pm to 4pm
Cost
Admission is by donation. We accept cash and e-transfer. Our Museum is run entirely by volunteers, independently of the City. Your donations are key to maintaining this rare historic building.
Getting There
Bathurst bus #7 from St. Clair West Station drops you off at our door as does bus #127 from Dupont Station. (press right hand arrow in map below for further directions)
Dedicated bike lanes run past the Museum from Avenue Road to Christie Street. There are bike rings on the sidewalk and a Bike Share station within sight.
Parking on Davenport Road is limited but free.
Email address
tollkeeperscottage@gmail.com
Nearby
Wychwood Farmer’s Market 13 Benson Ave. Saturdays 8-1
Wychwood Barns Park playground
Wychwood Park neighbourhood with Heritage Conservation designation
Purchase a self guided walking tour leaflet of Wychwood Park
Plan to spend 1/2 hour to an hour or more entertained by an interpreter. Children and adults are intrigued to see how Torontonians lived without electricity and plumbing!