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Editor’s Desk ine months into the pandemic and with Ontario as I write N in a state of emergency, Fort York National Historic Site remains closed to visitors. Although planning continues on various scenarios of reopening, a lot of concurrent effort is going into creating new resources in cyberspace. In July, the database of the rich Toronto History Museums artifact collection went online. It means that everyone may now, as the website promises, “explore the City of Toronto’s online collection including 150,000 artifacts, 1.1 million archaeological specimens, and 3,000 artworks.” Fine resolution imagery of many of the items can be accessed here. A week before Christmas, the Toronto History Museums online store went live with a fine selection of items from the small shops at Mackenzie House, Spadina House and especially (the largest) Fort York’s Canteen. The offerings are strong in exquisite small pewters; Indigenous jewellery; books on food, local history and the War of 1812; historical reproductions and no-battery toys (still looking for the Blue Willow china, the rare model soldiers and all those heritage cookbooks!) Delivery is by Canada Post or curbside pick-up at the Fort York Visitor Centre. It’s the only store of its kind – so check it out here.
Editor’s Desk
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