The projects below highlight our local history. Many different histories share the Lakeshore Grounds and have influenced its built and natural development.
The Lakeshore Grounds are located within the traditional territory of the Ojibwe Anishinaabe. They were also:
~ comprised of the Gouldthorpe and McNeil family farms
~ the site of the former Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital
~ home to the former Lakeshore Teachers' College
~ extended to create Colonel Samuel Smith Park
~ and the backdrop to many movies and TV shows
Situated in New Toronto and bordered by Mimico to the east and Long Branch to the west, the Lakeshore Grounds are likewise part of the unique region of Etobicoke-Lakeshore and its history.
Learn about the History of the Lakeshore Grounds
The Lakeshore Grounds Interpretive Centre is continually researching the histories that share the Lakeshore Grounds; this research informs all of our exhibits and events. To help you explore these histories in-depth, we've organized all of our digital exhibits, resources, and in-person offerings by topic below - simply click a link to start exploring!
Indigenous Heritage of the Lakeshore Grounds
Digital Exhibits:
CHIME Digital Exhibits: The Carrying Place; Trails of Toronto
Video Playlists:
These projects have all been created in partnership with Humber College's Indigenous Education & Engagement.
Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital
History-in-Action:
Digital Exhibits:
CHIME Digital Exhibits: The Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital
Secrets of an Ever Changing Landscape
Snapshots of the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital
Videos:
Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital Farm
Artefact Spotlight: Strictly Steam
Soundscape Experience:
Two Perspectives on the Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital
On-site Tours:
Natural History of the Lakeshore Grounds
Digital Exhibits:
CHIME Digital Exhibits: Trunks and Tweets; Life in Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Videos:
Colonel Samuel Smith Park: Forest and North Creek
Colonel Samuel Smith Park: Wildlife
Grounds for Leisure Video Series
#TidbitTours Archive: Trees of Colonel Samuel Smith Park
On-site Tours:
Lakeshore Teachers' College
Digital Exhibits:
CHIME Digital Exhibits: Architecture of Space; The Teachers' College
Soundscape Experience:
Lakeshore Grounds on Film
History-in-Action:
Digital Exhibits:
CHIME Digital Exhibits: The Location Scout; Movies @ Humber
Soundscape Experience:
On-site Tours:
Histories of the Etobicoke-Lakeshore Neighbourhoods
Digital Exhibit:
Video:
Colonel Samuel Smith Park: Restoration Projects
Exhibit Guide:
The Cottage Years (Long Branch)
External Sources
We're not the only ones interested in the histories of the Lakeshore Grounds and Etobicoke-Lakeshore communities! Below are a few of the sites we recommend to learn more about the area.