Annual March 6th Fundraiser
Every year, on March 6 – the anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Toronto – a gala fundraiser is held to benefit The Town of York Historical Society and Toronto’s First Post Office.
The entertainment always commemorates some aspect of Toronto history.
2019 | Toronto’s 185th Birthday!
This year, we’ll celebrate with an evening at St. Lawrence Hall, featuring Toronto’s first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie, the Firebrand himself. There will also be live music, Scottish Country dancing, and tempting food from the vendors of St. Lawrence Market! Of course, it wouldn’t be March 6th without the popular Old Town Silent Auction, featuring many of our
Follow #TOs185th and @TOs1stPO as we preview some of the auction lots up for grabs this March 6th.
This year’s performers include:
Bruce Beaton as William Lyon Mackenzie
The Interpreters
RSCDS Toronto (Scottish Country Dancers)
Also featuring: Food from the vendors of St. Lawrence Market, and the popular Old Town Silent Auction, featuring many of our
We appreciate the support of many community partners in this fundraiser, including our members,
Tickets are now available at Toronto’s First Post Office, or at Eventbrite.
2018
King Street: The Great Thoroughfare of Toronto
Christopher Hume, urban affairs columnist
with Rollo Myers,
and Barbara Gray, Manager, City of Toronto Transportation Services
Old Town Silent Auction
Table Presenters:
Mackenzie House Museum Toronto
Transit Bricks
On The Bright Side
City of Toronto Transportation Services
2017
1867 / 1967: An Evening of Story and Song
Bruce Bell, with Randy Vancourt on piano, speak on the history of St. Lawrence Hall
and of Toronto, at these turning points in Canadian history.
A Battle-of-the-Bands performance of music from 1867 and 1967 by Ian Bell,
Michelle Rumball, Tom Leighton, and Conrad Kipping
Old Town Silent Auction
2016
The Flood by Leah-Simone Bowen
Handwriting Analysis by Edda Manley
Old Town Silent Auction
2015
Appledore Productions previewed The Postman
Old Town Silent Auction
2014
Jason Wilson and ABMG presented Soldiers of Song: A Tribute to the Dumbells
Old Town Silent Auction
2013
There was no fundraiser in 2013, as the St. Lawrence Hall was undergoing renovations.
2012
Peter Meyler, author of A Stolen Life: Searching for Richard Pierpont,
on the “Coloured Corps” and its contribution during the War of 1812.
Single Thread Theatre Company premiered Petticoats, Scoundrels and Soldiers
2011
Brick Road Creations premiered Then and Now: A Poetic Landscape of Toronto
Performance and workshop of English Country dances by dance mistress
Karen Millyard and friends, accompanied by trio Playford’s Pleasure.
2010
Michael Comstock on Toronto’s 175 years.
A display of plans for Fort York’s new interpretive centre by the Fort York Guard.
A performance by Random Roads band.
2009
Bruce Bell and Richard Fiennes-Clinton in discussion on Toronto’s history.
Performance by the Fort York Regency Dancers.
Soprano Aleksandra Balaburska, accompanied by pianist Irene Wong-Montgomery,
performed songs popular in the 19th century.
Refreshments provided by the Culinary Historians of Ontario and George Brown
College’s students of Applied Food History, featuring “175 Years of Cakes”.
2008
A performance by the Downtown Alternative School Singers
Bruce Bell on the performance history of St. Lawrence Hall
A performance by the St. James’ Cathedral Choir
2007
Bruce Bell, on Toronto as a colonial outpost to Imperial city during the nineteenth
and early twentieth centuries.
Silent Films: Toronto in the Dawn of Cinema, a program of early footage curated
by Candida Paltiel of the Planet in Focus film festival and narrated by Mike Filey.
Former mayor David Crombie, on some of the challenges of the past few decades.
2006
Bruce Bell and Mike Filey in discussion on the history of St. Lawrence Hall.