The 9 Best History Museums in Old Toronto, Canada

A rare example of Georgian architecture, this museum is the restored home of the first Chief Justice of Upper Canada.

This rare Regency picturesque cottage is a graceful monument to John and Jemima Howard, the couple who founded High Park. John Howard, one of Toronto's first architects, as well as a City engineer and surveyor, built Colborne Lodge in 1837. Drop in and view the many original furnishings and artifacts and some of John Howard's own watercolours depicting images of early Toronto. Colborne Lodge is one of 11 historic sites operated by the City of Toronto. Toronto's Historic Sites engage visitors, inspire passion, challenge ideas and connect the past to the present. Special events and pre-registered activities are priced separately. Limited free parking. JANUARY - APRIL Open only Friday, Saturday and Sunday Noon to 5. Regular General Admission*: Adults: $8.00 Seniors (65 +) and Youth (13-18 yrs.): $7.00 Children (4-12 yrs.): $5.00 *prices include tax

Canada's oldest surviving purpose-built post office, in the heart of Toronto's historic St. Lawrence district. Toronto's First Post Office is a museum and full-service postal outlet.

Mackenzie House is the restored home of William Lyon Mackenzie, Toronto's first Mayor, a radical journalist and publisher, and leader of the Rebellion of 1837 in Upper Canada. This house was given to Mackenzie by friends and supporters, when he retired from public life, and in recognition of his many years of serving the community. Mackenzie House is one of 10 historic museums operated by the City of Toronto. Toronto's Historic Sites engage visitors, inspire passion, challenge ideas and connect the past to the present.

The years between the two Great Wars, when Toronto experienced increased immigration, the vote for women, the stock market crash, prohibition and the introduction of public health and welfare. It's also the time of the Charleston craze, tabloid journalism, new technology and more. And it can all be seen, heard, felt and lived at Spadina Museum - Toronto's only museum to represent the 1920s and 30s, a transformative period that dramatically changed the City. For over a century, Spadina was home to three generations of the Austin family. Opened in 1984, it is one of 10 historic sites operated by the City of Toronto. Spadina Museum completed an extensive interior restoration in 2010, bringing the house back into the twentieth century. Visitors may view what the house looked like during those years through artifacts, furnishings and reproduced and original decor or explore the estate's six acres of restored 1905 gardens. Today, Spadina Museum interprets the interwar period through a rich slate of guided tours, school programs, special events, changing exhibits, lectures and workshops. Spadina Museum is one of 10 historic museums operated by the City of Toronto. Toronto's Historic Sites engage visitors, inspire passion, challenge ideas and connect the past to the present.

During our reopening phase, visitors well have access to three galleries of exhibitions and the Museum Shop. Admission to the Museum will be on a timed ticketing system to ensure social distancing protocols. The Textile Museum of Canada is the only national museum in Canada that explores ideas and builds cultural understanding through the universally relevant media of textiles. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, the Museum’s permanent collection spans nearly 2,000 years and consists of more than 15,000 artifacts. A leader in the digitization of collections and interactive environments, the Museum has been recognized the world over for innovation in the development of landmark educational, research and creative initiatives.