#Toronto Railway Museum

[rabbitcruiser]

Toronto became the capital of Ontario on September 28, 1867. 

[katblu42]

Day 17 and Day 18

No photos for day 17 - it was an air travel day from Calgary to Toronto and my seat on the plane was an aisle seat.

The first part of day 18 included meeting my dad's cousin - my Toronto relatives are from an arm of the family that I've never met and know little about, so it was really nice to meet him, spend some time by the harbour and chat over a lovely lunch.

And then there was a little sight seeing time! I was headed for CN Tower, but I stumbled across the Roundhouse.

There's a railway museum here . . . I was tempted, but I didn't end up going in.

Stood in line to buy my entry ticket for the CN tower for about 45 minutes, then had an hour to kill before I needed to stand in another long queue to get into the tower itself!

So, I went in search of a drink, and found these guys hanging outside the Rogers Stadium.

Then it was Tower time.

I was a little disappointed with the "main" observation deck. There were no information boards to inform me what I was looking at in any direction, the mirrors on the ceiling made it next to impossible to get photos out the windows without reflections, and half of the windows had tables and chairs for the cafes up against them.

Then I had to go down one level to the other elevator bank (for the elevator down, or the one that would take me up to the Skypod), and found out that there should have been another observation level, but it was closed for renovation. That lower observation level would have had slanted windows instead of straight ones. And maybe that would have had the information cards. It probably would have helped thin the crowd too.

There was a glass floor here, with a view straight down to the aquarium!

Anyway, up I went to the Skypod - 100m or so (or 33 stories) higher that the observation deck. Restricted numbers and timed tickets meant less crowds, and the slanted windows allowed for looking down . . .

on the people doing the EdgeWalk on the roof of the restaurant level.

(Roundhouse looks cool from above)

That beige (or light brown) building with the 2 towers, just below the two boats on the water . . . that's where I was staying. On the 31st floor of the near tower.

And that's the view from my room.

[ccenvs3000w23]

Unit 06: Nature Interpretation through History

Preserving Memories of the Past

“There is no peculiar merit in ancient things, but there is merit in integrity, and integrity entails the keeping together of the parts of any whole, and if these parts are scattered throughout time, then the maintenance of integrity entails a knowledge, a memory, of ancient things. …. To think, feel or act as though the past is done with, is equivalent to believing that a railway station through which our train has just passed, only existed for as long as our train was in it.” ~Edward Hyams

This quote by Edward Hyams describes how the past as an individual unit holds no quantified goodness. Instead, there is goodness in integrity, which means to uphold pieces of the past and to bring forth these memories and concepts to the future. By ignoring the memories of the past, it is as if they never existed. 

Preserving memories of the past should hold high value as stories of the past can guide how lives are lived in the present. Both good and tragic memories of the past hold high importance and neither should be neglected—especially tragic memories. Tragic stories such as the struggle for equal rights for women, and civil rights movements for minorities, are important stories to tell as survivors are able to share their stories and become important figures in agents for change (Beck et a., 2018). For example, WWII Holocaust Museums and concentration camps around the world allow humanity to acknowledge the millions of victims lost, and help educate the world and prevent history from repeating itself. By preserving these experiences and memories, acts for change in social issues as described earlier are more likely to be conducted and acknowledged. 

An important factor in keeping the integrity of the past is through interpretation. Interpretation allows for past stories and artifacts to be shared with humankind. Without interpretation, artifacts are simply old objects, historical sites are ordinary pieces of land and traditional celebrations and ceremonies are purely sources of entertainment (Beck et al., 2018). Interpretation brings life and meaning into the past, where people may have not been able to acknowledge otherwise. It also provides us with explanations on why certain practices and traditions are prevalent in the present. With this knowledge and integrity of the past, ultimately it makes life more meaningful. 

My first experience with nature interpretation that focused on history includes Black Creek Pioneer Village, which is a history museum in Toronto, Ontario. Growing up in Vaughan, it was inevitable that my elementary school would make a trip to this site. This heritage museum contains 40 historic buildings, representing life in the 1860s (Smith, 2013). Some buildings in this attraction remain on their original sites, however many were brought over between the 1950s and 1980s to add to the preservation of the mid-19th-century rural and village life in Ontario (Smith, 2013). It was here where my class went through a walk-through of ‘a day in the life’ living in the 1800s. We were educated on mid-19th century artifacts, and were taken through the daily tasks and careers of a pioneer villager. With this experience, it gave me a better understanding of how individuals lived back then and how changes in technology greatly affected the world we live in today. With this experience, I recognized how important it is to educate children on the integrity of history and historical sites, which ultimately leads to a more educated generation and gives life purpose. 

Image of building from Black Creek Pioneer Village 

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: For A Better World. SAGAMORE Publishing.

Smith, D. (2013, January 20). Toronto feature: Black Creek Pioneer Village. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/toronto-feature-black-creek-pioneer-village#:~:text=Black%20Creek%20Pioneer%20Village%20contains,late%201950s%20and%20early%201980s. 

Image taken from: https://blackcreek.ca/

[interstate40]

TORONTO RAILWAY MUSEUM?!???!?!

[ayushiarora]

eJournal #1

In this journal entry, I will reflect on insights from the alumni panel at GBC. The three speakers: Monica Cardona, Vishal Sharma, and Bonnie Asani, gave perspectives on business communication, networking, and career development which made me introspect on my professional journey.

Monica emphasized the importance of business communication. Her discussion highlighted that effectively showcasing a product is key to making a lasting impression. This resonated with me, especially given my background as a multimedia designer, where communication is not just verbal but visual as well. My experience in UI/UX design at the Toronto Railway Museum further reinforced this idea. During my tenure, I worked on creating interactive digital displays that required me to translate complex information into engaging, user-friendly designs. It became evident that strong communication skills were just as crucial in design as they were in other business functions. The ability to present and "sell" a concept effectively could make or break a project. This is a lesson I will carry forward, knowing that refining my communication skills will enhance my ability to present ideas clearly and persuasively to clients and stakeholders.

Vishal spoke about the power of networking and how creating a good first impression can be pivotal. His own experience of meeting someone through a co-op placement serves as a reminder that opportunities often arise through interpersonal connections. He also reiterated the importance of business communication, which further strengthens my belief that I must constantly work on honing my ability to convey ideas clearly and professionally. Given my experience in public relations at C&M Media in New York, I fully understand how essential it is to make meaningful connections. In that role, I had the opportunity to manage high-profile clients like Moncler and Missoni. I saw firsthand how developing strong relationships with clients and colleagues leads to collaborative success. Vishal’s insight, particularly about attending events, reminded me to continuously network, a practice that could open doors in ways I might not expect. 

Bonnie’s advice centered around the value of mentorship and the importance of having the right resume. Her suggestion to keep your LinkedIn profile updated is particularly relevant today, as more employers seek to learn about candidates through online platforms. As a designer, my portfolio is central to how I market myself, so I’ve prioritized keeping both my LinkedIn profile and portfolio updated with recent work. Bonnie also spoke about the power of mentors—a concept that I’ve come to appreciate over time. I’ve benefited from mentors throughout my career, particularly during my certification in Interactive Media Management at George Brown College, where instructors provided invaluable guidance. Additionally, Bonnie’s emphasis on nurturing work relationships, even if they don’t result in immediate job offers, aligns with my own career experience. In my service coordinator role at Little Treasures, I learned that every interaction—whether with clients, colleagues, or potential employers—could yield long-term benefits, even if it didn’t produce immediate results.

Each speaker underscored a common theme: success often hinges on relationships, communication, and networking. For someone like me, whose career path spans content creation, marketing, and design, the importance of these soft skills cannot be overstated. As I continue to evolve in my field, I plan to integrate their advice into my career development strategy. Moving forward, I’ll prioritize attending networking events, maintaining strong relationships with peers, and honing my communication skills. These are not just tools for getting a job but essential skills for thriving in today’s interconnected, digital-first world.

In conclusion, the speakers’ advice has prompted me to think more strategically about how I approach my career. From ensuring I present my work clearly, to leveraging networks and maintaining relationships, each insight has helped me realize areas where I can improve. Their collective wisdom has influenced how I will shape my professional journey moving forward, particularly in making the most of the opportunities that come through communication and connection.

[travmami]

Old railway turntable, buildings and cars in Downtown Toronto RoundHouse Park. Informative signs and a lot of different structures in a relatively small place. Part museum and the Roundhouse is repurposed to be an entertainment area with game consoles and restaurants.

[simontalbot]

Toronto -> New York Trip - Day 1 (14 October ‘23)

IT'S BACK!! The long awaited and highly anticipated return of my travel blog - after a few fallow years thanks to Covid. It's full of incredible insights about the places, people and cultures we encounter on our travels. My thousands of followers will be so pleased...

Nah not really.

It's just a bunch of poorly taken photos (except Kirstie's that I steal) and a brief account of what we've been up to. Mostly for Mums, Dads and anyone seriously bored enough to take a look (Hi Mum and Dad!). It is also a nice little record to look back on from time to time or refer people to if they are planning to go to any of the same places. So here goes...

We made it to TORONTO. For this trip we start in Toronto and end in New York with a combination of buses, trains and cars in between - but mostly a road trip either side of the border. I am visiting my 40th country in my 40th year, I can't help but love the congruity.

We got in to Toronto just after lunch, sailed through the airport (super smooth, but sadly no passport stamp!), took the train and subway to Danforth, a suburb just east of downtown Toronto. After a few blue-dot-google-map mishaps, we found our Air BnB. It is in a pretty sweet residential area with lots of small houses, many of which are decked out in Halloween decorations.

After a quick freshen up (and power nap) we took the subway downtown. The subway system is really straightforward with only a couple of lines and there is a really good streetcar (tram) system overground. It is all tap on tap off with Apple pay/contactless cards which couldn't be easier.

We walked from Union station along to the CN tower. At 553 metres high it was the tallest structure in the world for many years, but it has now slipped to 10th place. We thought we would save going up the tower for another day. We passed by the aquarium, Rogers Centre (Baseball stadium) and the Railway museum and headed to the nearest streetcar stop to take us uptown. We jumped off at 'Graffiti Alley' to take a look around. It wasn't quite Hosier Lane in Melbourne, but there is much more street art in Toronto to take a look at later on. There was, however, a photo shoot happening of a swanky Ferrari in front of some of the graffiti, which had a very apt license plate 'LOFUNDS' (show off)...

After checking out the graffiti, we headed a few blocks further up to Chinatown for some dinner. We opted for a place with great reviews, 'Wok Theory'. It was full of Chinese customers, it sold XiaoLongBao (my absolute favourite food - soup dumplings) and it was nearby. It did not disappoint. The server was really interested in where we were from and giving us advice of what to do in Toronto which was nice. Aside from the food being excellent, the place was immaculately clean, and we were able to just sit for a minute and do some planning.

We moved on and took a stroll along Queen Street West, which was a hive of activity with people getting into the Saturday night spirit. With Cannabis very much legal and very much accessible in Canada, it was clearly popular with many night time revellers as we walked past various groups of people.

Kirstie and I were definitely not in the Saturday night spirit after a long day of travelling and were ready to head back for a sleep. We jumped on the subway and headed back to Danforth and popped in a supermarket to pick up a few bits for breakfast on the way.

We have three full days in Toronto to come (including a day at Niagara) so there was no need to rush!

Welcome to Toronto!

Choo choo! Toronto Subway.

CN Tower. Soz babes, I’ve seen bigger.

A little snapshot of Toronto. One of my shit pictures…

‘Graffiti Alley’. An alley with Graffiti. Toronto is literal.

More graffiti…

Dinner. Straightforward but delicious. Xiaolongbao (at bottom) Lovely.

CN tower and downtown Toronto by night…

Halloween in our neighbourhood…

Halloween in our neighbourhood 2

[indtravels01]

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[stenoodie]

#throwback to another MAP Pass adventure, the Toronto Railway Museum! 🚂 But first, a first-time GO Train experience for 2 of the 4 of us, pub food lunch, thirst-quenching chocolate ice cream on the boardwalk. The toddler enjoyed playing with the toy trains inside as well as riding on the mini train outside the museum (blazing sun; so hot that day 🌞!). #steamwhistlebeerforhubbytoo #summer2022 #june2022 (at Toronto Railway Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmqtKAYu4bB/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[rabbitcruiser]

The first transcontinental passenger train departed from Montreal’s Dalhousie Station, located at Berri Street and Notre Dame Street at 8 pm on 28 June 1886, and arrived at Port Moody at noon on 4 July 1886.  

[urbandrifter]

[thatrickmcginnis]

Museums like the Toronto Railway Museum run almost entirely on volunteer labour, relying on passionate hobbyists and amateurs to rebuild and service the rolling stock, build displays, run tours, create archives and do research work. I get to wander around the workshop before the museum opens, a tightly packed space where displays of uniforms, signs, china and cutlery from the golden age of rail travel in Canada sit next to a weathered club car being restored.

More here.

[pennanbrae]

All aboard! The vintage Canadian Pacific train is ready to pull out as sunlight gleams off the skyscraper.

[ukdamo]

Today's Flickr photo with the most hits shows me at the Toronto Railway Museum (taken back in 2012).

The second shot was taken from the CN Tower, and shows the railway museum and the engine turntable directly below.

[bucktransit]

A Peter Witt Streetcar at the Halton County Radial Railway, Milton, Ontario. September 2019. Photo by the green buck.

[fightlivelovesurvive]

byeeeeee compas