Toronto/CMEDIA: It was announced by the City of Toronto today about a month-long programming at three Toronto History Museums to honour Black History Month in the city, a news release reported.
Owned and operated by the City of Toronto, Toronto History Museums are a group of 10 museums that bring Toronto’s history to life for residents and visitors. They include Colborne Lodge, Fort York National Historic Site, Gibson House Museum, Mackenzie House, Market Gallery, Montgomery’s Inn, Scarborough Museum, Spadina Museum, Todmorden Mills and Zion Schoolhouse.
Entry to all 10 Toronto History Museums is now permanently free for everyone. More information is available on the Plan Your Museum Visit webpage.
“I invite all Torontonians to participate in programming running at Spadina Museum, Mackenzie House and Todmorden Mills throughout February for Black History Month…celebrate the heritage, traditions and culture of Black Canadians that have helped build our city and country and celebrate the invaluable contributions they continue to make to Toronto,” Toronto Mayor John Tory said in the news release.
Totonto is proud to celebrate Black History Month safely offering in-person events after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemicby producing and supporting numerous events and activities across the city. More information on the City’s Black History Month events is available on the City’s website.
A free event series in February would reportedly be delivered by the City through its museums to honour Black Freedom through music, culture and storytelling that will uplift and warm the soul of those who experiences it.
Programming of these free events will be hosted at Spadina Museum (285 Spadina Rd.), Mackenzie House (82 Bond St.) and Todmorden Mills (67 Pottery Rd.).
The month-long programming series includes:
Dis/Mantle – extended through to May 28 at Spadina Museum
Dis/Mantle is the immersive reimagining of Spadina Museum as part of the Awakenings program, using an Afrofuturism narrative inspired by Black abolitionists: Mrs. Pipkin, the formerly enslaved freedom seeker who worked as a laundress in the house. Now Mrs. Pipkin is the homeowner and the house is a safe haven for those seeking freedom through the Underground Railroad.
The multi-disciplinary exhibition will be led by artist Gordon Shadrach, and artists Christine Nawuchi, Sharon Norwood, Jabari “Elicser” Elliott, Moraa Stump and more. This exhibition includes portraits featuring prominent Black Canadians in culture, including Tanisha Scott, Julien Christian Lutz pka Director X and Toronto Raptors players. The exhibit is open during regular museum hours (Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) until May 28 at Spadina Museum.
Dis/Mantle: Meet the Artists – February 4 at Spadina Museum
Contributions by the artist Gordon Shadrach, Christine Nnawuchi and Moraa Stump would be discussed to Dis/mantle on February 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Spadina Museum.
Musical Performance by LOKRE – February 11 at Spadina Museum
LOKRE, singer and songwriter presents a journey of generations with reflections on family, legacy and celebrating culture through live music in Spadina Museum’s historic Palm Room on February 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. Free tickets can be registered for on the Toronto History Museums webpage.
Musical Performance by akaMatisse – February 25 at Todmorden Mills
Producer, composer and instrumentalist akaMatisse presents his interpretation of iconic pieces of music in the Papermill Theatre, representing Black culture from the powerful mediums of film, reflecting on the hero’s journey and that of his own. The performance occurs at Todmorden Mills on February 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. Free tickets are available on the Toronto History Museums webpage.
Mary Ann Shadd Cary: Breaking the Editorial Ice – Mackenzie House
Toronto History Museums will celebrate in 2023, the 200th anniversary of the birth of Mary Ann Shadd Cary, the first Black woman to publish a newspaper in North America. Mary Ann published in 1854 the Provincial Freeman from King Street in Toronto.
Visitors can go to the Mackenzie House print shop to print a customized copy of Mary Ann’s newspaper and a bookmark featuring one of her most famous quotes. This program will run Wednesday to Sunday throughout February at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. Free tickets are available on the Toronto History Museums webpage .
Identity Quilt Making – Spadina Museum – throughout February
An Identity Quilt will be created in this audience-led programming to accompany the Awakenings-related exhibition Dis/mantle at Spadina Museum. Supporting the contributions of written reflections to the Dis/Mantle exhibition, The Identity Quilt program is available by drop-in during regular Museum hours.
Awakenings Reflections: Dis/Mantle
A new four-part video series, Dis/Mantle Reflections would be presented by the Toronto History Museums presents taking viewers behind the scenes and in conversation with Dis/Mantle lead artist Gordon Shadrach to learn more about the artistic process and reimagined Spadina Museum .
Black History Month YouTube playlist
Virtual content through the Black History Month YouTube playlist featuring videos created by Black artists for Toronto History Museums. would be available for exploration by Torontonians
The City of Toronto extends its gratitude to community partner Toronto Raptors and media partner 106.5 ELMNT FM for supporting the Awakenings program for Black History Month.
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