The 2023 Toronto History Lecture will be held online via Zoom on Tuesday, August 8, at 7:30 pm EDT. It is free, but you must register. (It will be recorded, so if your schedule or time zone doesn’t accommodate 7:30, you can time-shift.)
During the early 1900s, Toronto experienced rapid changes due to industrialization, migration, and the implementation of major infrastructure projects. One of the most significant undertakings of this time was the construction of the Water Supply Tunnel in Toronto’s harbour, which was also the site of a notable archaeological discovery. Huron Elliott, a miner from the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, arrived in Toronto in 1907 to work on this project. Tragically, he and three other workers lost their lives just days later. Eric Sehr will delve into the unique story of Huron Elliott, a rare account of an Indigenous person actively shaping Toronto’s growth and development in the early 20th century. Additionally, he will examine the significance of the Water Supply Tunnel project to commemorate the workers who died building the essential infrastructure that Toronto relies on today.
Eric Sehr is an urban planner and an ardent admirer of Toronto. His interests include maps, old newspapers, and the tales that they hold. For over ten years, he has devoted his time to researching and writing about the history of Toronto, which he shares on his blog, “Toronto Shaped.” Through this blog, Eric delves into the people, places, and plans that have left an indelible mark on the city’s past and present. You can find his work at torontoshaped.wordpress.com.
Click here to register for The 2023 Toronto History Lecture. It is free!
The 2023 Toronto History Lecture will be dedicated to the memory of long time Toronto Branch member Ron Junkin, in recognition of his many volunteer contributions to the Branch over 45 years.