Welcome to the Foundation Online

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ETSF-175 Anniversary Image for Website

Photo© Ontario Heritage Trust

Welcome to the website of the Foundation whose mission it is to foster the memory of the oldest free school in Toronto and the man who was responsible for its existence, Enoch Turner.

Our mission is also to help the Ontario Heritage Trust to preserve the Schoolhouse in its original condition, so that it will continue to inspire thousands of visitors every year.

In 2023, the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation and Ontario Heritage Trust celebrate the 175th anniversary of  the Schoolhouse and the role it played in the development of a provincially supported free school system. 

Annual General Meeting and Special Lecture

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Join us on May 30th for our Annual General Meeting and Special Lecture:

Toronto Workers in the 1850s

A look back at a decade of major transitions in the lives of Toronto’s working people – new jobs, new immigrants, new challenges to living standards, new cultures.

Special Lecture by:

Professor Craig Heron, professor emeritus at York University, where he taught History and Labour Studies for 35 years. Professor Heron is the author of numerous publications on Canadian social and working-class history, including Working in Steel, The Canadian Labour Movement, Booze: A Distilled History, The Workers Festival, and Lunch-Bucket Lives. He is currently President of the Toronto Workers History Project.

AGM 6 pm      REFRESHMENTS  6:30 PM      SPECIAL LECTURE 7 pm

Memberships available at the door.

For more info contact info@enochturnerschoolhouse.ca

REGISTER HERE

York University Student Teacher Award

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In 2022, the Foundation made a donation to York University to create and annual bursary for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Education who are enrolled in the BEd program or the BA Educational Studies program. This bursary is to encourage the teaching of history, heritage and public education and to support the development of leaders in the teaching of Canadian history. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need and an interest in Canadian history or public education along with related teaching goals.

We are pleased to announce the award fro the 2022/23 academic year will go to Raven Lovering!

Raven Lovering is a teacher candidate at York University, completing her final year of studies. As a first-generation student, she is passionate about access to education and literacy which she hopes to apply in her future work teaching English and French. She cares deeply about centering storytelling in the classroom to unpack histories and help students find their voices. 

A big congratulations to Raven from the Foundation and Board!

175th Anniversary Events

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Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are thrilled to dedicate 2023 to celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse and the role it played in the development of a provincially supported free school system.

The Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation and Ontario Heritage Trust are dedicated to preserving the Schoolhouse and are planning 175th anniversary event you won’t want to miss!

Please see below for a sneak peek at some of the events we hope to see you at this year!

May 7th – 10AM-11:30AM: Jane’s Walk: Two Centuries of King Street East

Explore the streetscape of one of Canada’s most important streets.

REGISTER HERE

May 28th – 10AM-5PM: Doors Open Toronto

Drop-in anytime between 10am-5pm to visit the historic Schoolroom and discover the life of students 175 years ago. Free admission.

May 30th – 6PM-8PM: Annual General Meeting and Special Lecture

Join the Foundation for their Annual General Meeting, followed by Special Lecture, Toronto Workers in the 1850s, presented by Professor Craig Heron.

REGISTER HERE

Fall 2023 – ETS on Tap!

Stay tuned for details to come on a Schoolhouse pub night!

Fall 2023 – Speaker’s Corner

Back by popular demand! Join us for four new compelling Speaker’s Corner sessions.

Dec. 1st – 6PM-10PM: Annual Founder’s Dinner

Party like it’s 1848! A yearly tradition to kick-off the Holiday Season, join us again for the Annual Founder’s Dinner. Expect all the old favourites like award winning music performances, caroling, and presentation of the Heritage Champion Award, along with a few exciting new elements. Registration to be announced.

For more information and event announcements visit http://www.enochturnerschoolhouse.ca

Provincial Recognition

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It is with great pride that we share our scroll of Provincial recognition on the 175th anniversary of the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse.

Enoch Turner has played a significant role in bringing awareness about the struggle to access publicly funded education and paved the way for universal access in the province.

Thank-you to Kristyn Wong-Tam, MPP, Toronto Centre for her support.

View the scroll HERE.

Speaker’s Corner with Michael Enright: Fear of Deportation

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We are incredibly happy to share the fourth and final session of our series Speaker’s Corner With Michael Enright: ARRIVAL.

If you were unable to join this session, Fear of Deportation, please CLICK HERE to access the recording and enjoy!

We are thankful to our host Michael Enright and wonderful panelists Felix Muubuke and Lyudmila Bezpala-Brown for their compelling and inspiring commentary.

Thank-you to all who tuned in and joined us in person!

A Vintage Christmas at the Schoolhouse – Annual Founder’s Dinner 2022

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YOU ARE INVITED!

You are cordially invited to a festive Canadian Christmas dinner, Heritage Champion award, entertainment and Christmas cheer as we celebrate the opening of Toronto’s first free school 174 years ago!

Begin the evening with a reception, hors d’oeurves and cash bar. Followed by a mouth-watering, four course, traditional Canadian Christmas dinner with wine catered by award-winning enVille Event Design and Catering. Enjoy seasonal reading, carol singing fun, and live performances.

Our emcee for the evening is musical theatre and cabaret performer, Marlene Handrahan.

Jessi Tiech, international award-winning song writer and recording artist will perform seasonal music for singing and listening.

RESERVE YOUR TICKETS HERE

*Tables will be created in groups of 4-6.

**Masks are strongly recommended.

This event is a fundraiser for the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation (11927 2862 RR0001). Tax receipts will be issued for the maximum allowable amount.

Wheelchair and TTC accessible. 

For more information and tickets contact info@enochturnerschoolhouse.ca

Speaker’s Corner with Michael Enright: Overlooked and Underemployed

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We are incredibly happy to share the third session of our series Speaker’s Corner With Michael Enright: ARRIVAL.

If you were unable to join this session, Overlooked and Underemployed, please CLICK HERE to access the recording and enjoy!

We are thankful to our host Michael Enright and wonderful panelists Howayda Gohar, Mustafa Alio and Dr. Afsheen Mehar for their compelling and inspiring commentary.

Thank-you to all who tuned in and joined us in person!