This week's #MembersMonday Spotlight is on Isaac Henry Lewis: Ontario-born photographer turned optician, York Pioneer member, church trustee, community leader, and husband to Julia—first Black female York Pioneer!

Our next #MembersMonday comes in time for #BlackHistoryMonth! Born in 1845, George Washington Smith came to Toronto in 1864, became a successful barber, was a devote Baptist, and is said to have run Toronto's first permanent newsstand! Source: bit.ly/4a2wpis

In this week's #MembersMonday, Elder Thomas Henry was an Irish-born pioneer, War of 1812 veteran, and longtime preacher in early Oshawa. A York Pioneer (#214), he helped build the community, championed liberty, and served his neighbours for decades.

In 2016, The York Pioneers and Scadding Cabin were....222 and 147 years young! Check out this look back at us a decade ago!

Introducing the return of our Members Monday spotlight! John Burnard McGann (1829–1896), born in York, became a captain, ship owner, and broker. Captain McGann ran a waterfront hotel at 36–38 Esplanade and was a member of the York Pioneers from 1870!

A Happy New Year From The York Pioneer & Historical Society to All! May 2026 be filled with success, growth, and happiness!

A Very Merry Christmas to our members, friends, and followers!

The oldest surviving building in Toronto is a tiny log cabin built in 1794. When the cabin was built, York (now Toronto) was only one-year-old. It has seen the city grow around it and it is a glimpse into the distant past. This is the story of the Scadding Cabin! 🧵 1/6

Today on #RemembranceDay, the York Pioneer & Historical Society remembers the great sacrifices made for freedom. We acknowledge and thank the efforts and service of our armed forces past and present. #LestWeForget

On November 2, 2025, we celebrated the launch of our 2025 York Pioneer Journal! With the Toronto Fire Historical Society, we also marked the 100th Anniversary of Scarborough Firehall No. 1! 🚒🎉 Thank you to all who attended and made this joyous occasion a great success! 🎉

Join us tomorrow!

🎉 Get ready, Toronto history buffs and fire history enthusiasts! 📚✨ The York Pioneer Journal Launch is almost here, and you’re all invited to be part of this FREE day of fun! 🕰️ 📅 Sunday November 2; 10 AM to 2 PM 📍 Where: 351 Birchmount Rd, Scarborough

Become a York Pioneer! At $30 a year, your membership will help support local history with the oldest historical society in Ontario and a storied and evolving institution in Toronto! (And ahem, one of the annual perks is coming up shortly...) Join today: bit.ly/3EYIg5d

📢 Announcing the Launch of The 2025 York Pioneer Journal! Join us for speeches & presentations, refreshments and tours of the Scarborough Firefighting Museum! 📅 : Sunday November 2, 2025 ⏰ : 10 AM to 2 PM 📍 : 351 Birchmount Rd, Scarborough Details: bit.ly/4mZkjuS

Beginning tonight and every Friday in October from 7-9pm, Scadding Cabin will take its spooky place as part of Ghost Walks at Exhibition Place ! 👻 Cost: $15 with all proceeds to United Way To register: bit.ly/46C84j2 📷 : ExPlaceTO

House of William Smith Jr., beside the Don River near Queen Street, Toronto, circa 1912. Artist: Frederick Victor Poole Medium: Watercolour painting Baldwin Collection of Canadiana, TPL #1910s #watercolour #watercolor #torontoartist #art #torontohistory #toronto #canada #jeremyhopkin

Today, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the York Pioneer & Historical Society respectfully acknowledges the contributions, cultures, experiences, and histories of the First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Peoples.

Tomorrow! Are you coming?

Good news! Scadding Cabin will be OPEN for the Exhibition Place Community BBQ! We'll have spinning demonstrations, games, and a tour through our humble cabin! 🗓️ September 20, 2025 ⏰ 11AM-2PM 📍Centennial Park, 14 Saskatchewan Rd 🎟️ FREE with registration: community.admitone.com/exhibition-p...

On this day in 1860, Toronto officially opened two grand parks: Queen's Park and Allan Gardens. The Prince of Wales, while on a royal tour, did the honours. 📷 : TPL Digital Archive

A big THANK YOU to the 5,387 people who visited Scadding Cabin during the CNE! Another THANK YOU to our amazing team of volunteers and presenters! EVERYONE made this season another one for the books!

Calling all kids: We want to see your amazing drawings of Scadding Cabin! 🖍️ Ask us for a super cool Activity Sheet while you enjoy these last few days at the CNE!

It's the final weekend! The forecast is looking quite favourable...Won't you join us for a last look at Scadding Cabin at the CNE?

We had the pleasure of attending the Canadian National Exhibition’s President’s Dinner & Foundation Silent Auction on August 27 at the Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex. It was a wonderful evening of connection, celebration, and support for the CNE Foundation! 📷 : L. Peppiatt

The York Pioneer & Historical Society is saddened by the passing of member Richard Fiennes-Clinton. Richard was a York Pioneer since 2016 and had a deep passion for and expertise in Toronto history. 📷 : K. Smith

It is MIDWAY (get it?) through our time at the CNE! This week is filled with some interesting visitors - including our resourceful YPHS Archivist, the iconic Governor & Mrs. Simcoe, and some float-y friends! 🦋

Today! After you visit Scadding Cabin, come see us at the CNEA exhibit booth at the Enercare Centre in Heritage Court! We'll be around until 10PM to talk history! 📷 : L. Peppiatt

It's Fri-Yay! Are coming to see us this weekend? Check out one of our great presentations and wander our gorgeous garden! 📷 : J. Marshall & K. Smith

Opening Weekend is behind us and we are READY to roll into our first full week at the #CNE2025--- and it's a BIG one! As always, we have GREAT programming and AMAZING volunteers ready to guide you through Toronto's Oldest House!

Our friends at the Muddy York Podcast have a wonderful primer on Scadding Cabin! Check it out:

It's finally here! Scadding Cabin is......OPEN!!! We are starting off opening weekend strong with a great lineup of presentations! Are you coming? Check back here every Monday & Friday during the CNE for a schedule of events or visit bit.ly/4fwtpNA !

📢 Let's Go To The EX...at Scadding Cabin! We will have almost daily events of old faves, new offerings, and our wonderful costumed interpreters to guide you through Toronto's Old House! 📅 Aug 15 to Sept 1 from 12 to 7 PM For a full schedule, check out www.theex.com or our website: bit.ly/4fwtpNA

Thank you to our attendees, authors, presenters, walk leaders, and partners who made our Simcoe Day in Toronto event this past Monday a great success! 📷 : K. Smith & B. Georgiou

Tomorrow! Join us at St. Matthew's Clubhouse from 1 to 4 PM for some FREE Simcoe Day festivities! We hope to see you there! Details: www.eventbrite.ca/e/simcoe-day...

Check out The Pronoic Collective (brought to you by the Old Town BIA) of historical reenactors at our Simcoe Day in Toronto event! 📅 : August 4th, 1 to 4 PM 📍 : St. Matthew's Clubhouse Details: bit.ly/3TkV3mC

Old City Hall is open again! Visit this summer for a tour, exhibitions, or bring in your old treasures to be evaluated! Will you be going? bit.ly/46uZFye 📷 : Toronto Archives

We are a week from our Simcoe Day extravaganza on August 4th! Come on one or two FREE historical walks: "From Scadding to Simcoe: A History & Geography", Bob Georgiou "Scadding’s Lot 15, from early to present day", Patricia Stowe Details: bit.ly/3TkV3mC

July 25, 1879: The York Pioneers held their annual excursion to Queenston Heights. Some members travelling via The Chicora steamer got sick. A meeting was held and the Queen's Own band played Auld Lang Syne. 📷 : TPL Archives

On July 24, 1809, John Paul Radelmüller was appointed Light Keeper at the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse. His murder on Jan 2, 1815 by two drunken soldiers spawned one of Toronto's enduring ghost stories. 📷 : TPL Archive

Are you coming to our Simcoe Day in Toronto event on August 4th at St. Matthew's Clubhouse? We will have Toronto authors & creators on hand to talk and share local history! Adam Bunch Richard Fiennes-Clinton Elizabeth Gillan Muir Adam Waiser, Muddy York Podcast For more details: bit.ly/414cvji

This month, we got together at Scadding Cabin to honour the heart of our organization: our volunteers! Thank you! 📷 : K. Smith

📢 This Civic Holiday Weekend, join us to mark Simcoe Day in Toronto with an afternoon of local history fun! Event is FREE but registration is encouraged via QR code or bit.ly/3TkV3mC ! Co-Presented with Toronto's First Post Office & Riverdale Historical Society!

The York Pioneer & Historical Society wishes our members, volunteers, and friends a healthy & safe Canada Day! 🇨🇦

Are you ready for Doors Open Toronto?! Fancy some hoop rolling or a game of cribbage?! Come by Scadding Cabin on Saturday & Sunday between 10 am and 5 pm! If you visit, please tag us in your photos! See you there!

📢 The Doors Are OPEN once again! 🚪 Join us May 24th & 25th from 10AM to 5PM at Scadding Cabin for Doors Open Toronto! This year's theme is "The City is Your Playground; Get Ready to Play"! See Toronto's oldest house & play old-time children's games in the garden! #DOT25

Our neighbourhood is blooming! How are you enjoying spring? 📷 : K. Smith

On this day in 1904, a fire at Bay and Wellington Street swept through 14 acres of Toronto's commercial district. Costs included 86 destroyed factories and $13 million in damages. 📷 : City of Toronto Archives

The new 2024 York Pioneer Journal is now available! Purchase yours today for only $20 (plus shipping costs) in Our Store! OR Become A York Pioneer for $30 -- it's included in your membership! bit.ly/3Dlkj7H

On April 12 1838, rebels Samuel Lount & Peter Matthews were hung in the Court House Square. 📷 : Globe and Mail Archives, 1893

On April 7, 1849, a fire beginning at King & Jarvis Streets consumed 15 acres of Toronto's commercial district. Amongst the destruction was St. James Cathedral and St. Lawrence Market. 📷 : TPL Archives