York Pioneers
 | |
| Formation | 1869 |
|---|---|
| Type | Historical Society |
| Purpose | "Preserving the past for the future" |
| Services | Operates Scadding Cabin, publishes York Pioneer journal, maintains private archives |
| Website |
www |
The York Pioneers Historical Society is Ontario's oldest historical society, and the second oldest historical society in Canada. The society is located in Toronto and operates Scadding Cabin during the Canadian National Exhibition, publish the York Pioneer journal, and participate in other historical preservation projects in Toronto.
History
The York Pioneers were formed in 1869 in an attempt to preserve the heritage of York, Ontario (now Toronto). In 1879 John Smith, the owner of the Scadding property, donated Scadding Cabin to the York Pioneers.[1] 1879 was also the beginning of the Toronto Industrial Exhibition, later the CNE, and the York Pioneers worked with the CNE’s founders to move the cabin to its current site to celebrate the fair’s inauguration. The cabin was dismantled, moved and reconstructed by the York Pioneers on the grounds of the first Industrial Exhibition, now Exhibition Place, on August 22, 1879.
In 1917 the York Pionners purchased Sharon Temple and 3 1/2 acres of land for $1500. By this time the temple had grown derelict from neglect and the York Pioneers restored the building, turning it into a museum.[2] The surrounding 3 1/2 acres of land was used to host other historic sites that were moved and restored there. The Sharon Temple was made a National Historic Site in 1990 and in 1991 the Sharon Temple Museum Society took control of the site.
References
- ↑ Peppiatt, Liam. "Chapter 59: The Scadding Homestead". Robertson's Landmarks of Toronto Revisited.
- ↑ "History of the Temple". Sharon Temple.