The Tollkeeper's Cottage

The Tollkeeper's Cottage Charitable organization & community history project. Open Saturdays 11am to 5pm (to 4pm in winter)
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Open Saturdays
11am to 5pm
(11am to 4pm winter)

Admission is by donation
Workshops for a small fee

The historic Tollkeeper's Cottage, believed to be Canada's only surviving tollgate from the 1800s (or earlier), certainly the only one available to the public. The Cottage was "rediscovered" in 1993 and a few years later research began in earnest re its origins and history. It's dated at 1835 (

the interior has been restored to the 1860's) and was operating as a tollgate and home for the tollkeepers' families at least from 1850. It's of a very rare vertical plank construction - a style used for a short period in the early 1800's. Its history as tollgate #3 on Davenport Road - whose history dates back to the end of Ice Ages when the passageway was used as a footpath by the First Nations people - is fascinating.

06/02/2026

OUR OPEN SUNDAY IS JUNE 7 from 1-4 pm
Even if you've had a tour before, each docent's tour is different, focusses on different objects, people and events. You may have come up with questions since your last tour, and here is an ideal time to ask and discuss (as long as the docents are not with other visitors). And our spinners are usually here on that day if you want to watch how that craft is carried out.

THURSDAY JUNE 11 - OUR THIRD TORONTO TRIVIA QUIZ ~ 7-8:30 pm
We'd like you to pretend you're at your favourite pub...an evening session, non-alcohol beer and pretzels! Let us know you're coming if you can, so we have enough of everything! You can play solo, pair up with a friend, or choose a group of three. The questions will be about old and current Toronto. (Petite) prizes and lots of honours for the winners! Start thinking about who will help make you a winner or meet someone here who wants to team up! $10. for entry, cash or e-transfer.

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE TOLLKEEPER'S COTTAGEQUEEN VICTORIA INVITES YOU TO THIS YEAR'S VICTORIA DAY TEAMonday May 18 f...
05/16/2026

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE TOLLKEEPER'S COTTAGE

QUEEN VICTORIA INVITES YOU TO THIS YEAR'S

VICTORIA DAY TEA

Monday May 18 from 1 - 4 pm
$10 for adults, $5 for children, $3 for a refill ~ cash or e-transfer

Enjoy a cup of Yorkshire Gold tea on a lace tablecloth.
Select from a variety of home-made scones.
Talk with old friends and meet new ones.

05/11/2026

VICTORIA DAY TEA
This year it's on Monday May 18 from 1:00-4:00
$10 for adults, $5 for children, $3 for a refill

We've been told that you look forward to our Victoria Day Tea!

It might be the first time you've been able to sit outside, a time when you can say hello to neighbours and friends after the winter. It's special!

It's also a way to help us to fundraise for the needs of the Tollkeeper's Cottage.

TODAY!!!! May 3rd3 pm RON BEAUPRE Ron will speak about the Adventures of the steamboat/barge VIGILANT, a fisheries patro...
05/03/2026

TODAY!!!! May 3rd
3 pm RON BEAUPRE Ron will speak about the Adventures of the steamboat/barge VIGILANT, a fisheries patrol vessel built at Polson's in Toronto. She was launched to enforce fisheries regulations between the U.S. and Canada and involved with disputes on Lake Erie and elsewhere (No, there were no tariffs involved!) Refreshments served. $10. cash or e-transfer.

04/30/2026

SUNDAY MAY 3 -
WHAT A BUSY DAY AT THE TOLLKEEPER'S COTTAGE!

12 - 3 PM OUR SUNDAY OPENING Meet Nick, Ronnie and our spinners

1 pm JANE'S WALK
If you choose to do a Jane's Walk with Marilyn, she will meet you here about 1 pm. Take a moment to look in and say hello/take a tour another day.

3 pm RON BEAUPRE will speak about the Adventures of the steamboat/barge VIGILANT, a fisheries patrol vessel built at Polson's in Toronto. She was launched to enforce fisheries regulations between the U.S. and Canada and involved with disputes on Lake Erie and elsewhere.

04/18/2026

NEXT MONTH: TALK ON MAY 3, TIME TBD
MARINE BOAT ENTHUSIASTS MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

RON BEAUPRE will talk about a fisheries patrol vessel built at Polson's in Toronto. She was named VIGILANT and was involved with disputes between U.S. fishing vessels on Lake Erie and elsewhere.

04/18/2026

SUNDAY APRIL 26, 2-4 PM ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
for all Community History Project Members
(memberships available at the door)
SPEAKER: HENRY KNIGHT is a stained glass artist and restorer who has been working to rediscover the lost history of Toronto's Victorian glaziers.
TOPIC: Naming Names: Who Made Toronto's Victorian Stained Glass Windows? Join us to be among the first in a century to know the names behind all the art.

All those who have taken out their a membership since November 1 last year are entitled to attend the AGM, vote and run for the Board of Directors. We have a roster of 11 possible Board Members, with 10 standing for the office. We need one more, especially one interested in marketing and outreach to get our museum known to interested visitors. At this meeting you will find out about our successes and challenges of the last year. Please let us know if you will attend at [email protected]. Hope to see you there!

03/21/2026

DEATH AMONG THE VICTORIANS~HOW DID THEY VIEW IT? WHAT CHANGES DID THEY MAKE?

Thursday March 26 at 7 pm

Given by Virginia Van Vliet, retired librarian, who has led walking tours for the Royal Ontario Museum for 25 years including the Necropolis and St. James Cemeteries.
Cemetery Walks inspired Virginia to research changes in the view of death in the 19th century and the complex rituals that developed around Victorian mourning customs. Her talk looks at the growth of the garden cemetery style, mourning dress and jewelry, funerals, and home decorating tips for the newly bereaved.

$10 per person
Refreshments will be provided

03/08/2026

MARILYN SPEARIN / CATHERINE WATTS / RONNIE BURBANK HELP YOU WITH YOUR MENDING
on two Saturdays March 14 and March 28, 1 to 4 pm
A few people have asked for some guidance in mending fabric or knitted materials and this is your chance to sit with Marilyn, Catherine or Ronnie to perfect your skills! If you just want mending done for you, you can drop it off any Saturday when we're open and we'll let you know when it's done. We offer all these services like our tours: payment is by donation.

DEATH AMONG THE VICTORIANS~HOW DID THEY VIEW IT? WHAT CHANGES DID THEY MAKE?
Thursday March 26 at 7 pm
Given by Virginia Van Vliet, retired librarian, who has led walking tours for the Royal Ontario Museum for 25 years including the Necropolis and St. James Cemeteries.
These cemetery Walks have led Virginia to research the changes in the view of death in the 19th century and the complex rituals that developed around Victorian mourning customs. Her talk looks at the growth of the garden cemetery style, mourning dress and jewelry, funerals, and home decorating tips for the newly bereaved.

02/08/2026

UPCOMING EVENTS

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14, 1 - 3 pm -- CALLIGRAPHY
We are delighted that children's book illustrator and calligrapher Michele Nidenoff is going to enhance our cursive writing by teaching us Copperplate, which cursive writing is based on. Copperplate is an elegant, high-contrast calligraphic script featuring shaded letters, flourishes and a precise, slanted, pointed pen style developed in the 17th-18th centuries. Just the thing to make notes or invitations or to use on cards (including those for Valentine's Day) to special people. Copperplate is done with a pointed, flexible nib. In this workshop, we will enjoy tea and treats while we explore the beautiful calligraphic alphabet. COST: Materials will be available or bring your own. Materials and Valentine's refreshments supplied. Adults $15., Ages 10 and up $5.
PLEASE RSVP BY THURSDAY FEBRUARY 12 at [email protected] as we need to know how many will take part.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28, 1 - 4 pm -- BEADING AND CONVERSATION CIRCLE
The Tollkeeper's Cottage is proud to collaborate with the Indigenous People's Solidarity Group (IPSG) to host the talented chef and bead artist, teacher Reva-Marie Peters-Ackroyd. Everything from pony bead keychains to fine beading with seed beads will be available to try. We will also begin work on the Red Dress and Medicine Bags for honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous, Inuit, and Metis Women, Girls, and 2S and Transpeople in the spring. We will serve some tasty treats such as Cedar or Soapberry Tea and Cree Bannock with blackcurrant jam. Pay what you can, but please be sure to email us that you'd like to take part, as seating is limited!

Address

750 Davenport Road
Toronto, ON
M6G2B3

Opening Hours

12pm - 5pm

Website

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