The Tollkeeper's Cottage

The Tollkeeper's Cottage Charitable organization & community history project. Open Saturdays 12 to 4pm, and one Sunday a month 1-4pm.

Open Saturdays
11am to 5pm
(11am to 4pm winter)

Admission is by donation
Workshops for a small fee

The historic Tollkeeper's Cottage, believed to be Canada's only surviving tollgate from the 1800s (or earlier), certainly the only one available to the public. The Cottage was "rediscovered" in 1993 and a few years later research began in earnest re its origins and history. It's dated at 1835 (

the interior has been restored to the 1860's) and was operating as a tollgate and home for the tollkeepers' families at least from 1850. It's of a very rare vertical plank construction - a style used for a short period in the early 1800's. Its history as tollgate #3 on Davenport Road - whose history dates back to the end of Ice Ages when the passageway was used as a footpath by the First Nations people - is fascinating.

09/02/2026

OUR HISTORIC WALKS ARE GOING STRONG -
GARRISON RAVINE AND EAST ANNEX
The weather is now much better to take in the many interesting buildings, geographical features and stories in our local streets:

The Garrison Ravine Walk will take place on Thursday Sept. 3 at 10 am. Marilyn will lead you where the Garrison Creek used to flow, through Christie Pits and Bickford Park. If you have done the Christie Pits walk, this one is not the same! Maybe a little overlap, but not much. You can learn how all Toronto's ravines were formed, how the ravine has affected the people near it, and how the people have affected the ravine. And there are wonderful murals by Red Urban Nation!

The East Annex Walk on Friday Sept. 11. Deborah will lead a walk through the East Annex, which is the area from Spadina to Avenue Rd., from Bloor to Dupont. Join Deborah to learn about this rich (in many senses!) area. This tour travels the original boundaries of the Annex. Along the way learn about some of the personalities who lived here and others whose influence is still evident. Among other stops, we view the house that started the Annex look and and the home of a woman who spearheaded the founding of a children’s hospital. Since Sept. 11 is a couple of weeks away, we may find we have to cancel if the weather turns against us!

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR WALKS: If you want to come along on the walk, send us an email. When 4 walkers have expressed interest, we will forward details about the start and end points.

09/02/2026

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Saturday September 26 from 2-4 pm
Join us for a gathering where we honour survivors of the residential school system, and remember the multi-generational trauma as well as the many beneficial teachings about land and resource use that we gain from Indigenous people. We'll have a chance to talk about our thoughts and enjoy refreshments.

09/02/2026

OUR SECOND HISTORY OF TORONTO TRIVIA QUIZ
Thursday September 24 from 7-9 pm $10. cash at the door or
e-transfer [email protected]

PETITE PRIZES FOR THE WINNERS!

What do you know about Toronto from its beginnings to now? There will be some history and some general information to get your brain cells working! And it's all for a fun evening of friends and laughter, pretzels and near-beer in a pub-like setting. Please pre-register to let us know that you're coming, as the space is limited.

06/11/2026

We are looking for volunteers to be docents!

Do you have an interest in history? Do you have some time on Saturdays to volunteer? Come join our wonderful team of docents!

Please email [email protected] to express interest and for more information.

06/07/2026

Hello all,

Trivia Night, which was to take place Thursday 11 June, has been POSTPONED. We will let you know when the next Trivia Night will be scheduled. Thank you for your understanding.

Filling up the straw mattress
06/06/2026

Filling up the straw mattress

06/02/2026

OUR OPEN SUNDAY IS JUNE 7 from 1-4 pm
Even if you've had a tour before, each docent's tour is different, focusses on different objects, people and events. You may have come up with questions since your last tour, and here is an ideal time to ask and discuss (as long as the docents are not with other visitors). And our spinners are usually here on that day if you want to watch how that craft is carried out.

THURSDAY JUNE 11 - OUR THIRD TORONTO TRIVIA QUIZ ~ 7-8:30 pm
We'd like you to pretend you're at your favourite pub...an evening session, non-alcohol beer and pretzels! Let us know you're coming if you can, so we have enough of everything! You can play solo, pair up with a friend, or choose a group of three. The questions will be about old and current Toronto. (Petite) prizes and lots of honours for the winners! Start thinking about who will help make you a winner or meet someone here who wants to team up! $10. for entry, cash or e-transfer.

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE TOLLKEEPER'S COTTAGEQUEEN VICTORIA INVITES YOU TO THIS YEAR'S VICTORIA DAY TEAMonday May 18 f...
05/16/2026

MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE TOLLKEEPER'S COTTAGE

QUEEN VICTORIA INVITES YOU TO THIS YEAR'S

VICTORIA DAY TEA

Monday May 18 from 1 - 4 pm
$10 for adults, $5 for children, $3 for a refill ~ cash or e-transfer

Enjoy a cup of Yorkshire Gold tea on a lace tablecloth.
Select from a variety of home-made scones.
Talk with old friends and meet new ones.

05/11/2026

VICTORIA DAY TEA
This year it's on Monday May 18 from 1:00-4:00
$10 for adults, $5 for children, $3 for a refill

We've been told that you look forward to our Victoria Day Tea!

It might be the first time you've been able to sit outside, a time when you can say hello to neighbours and friends after the winter. It's special!

It's also a way to help us to fundraise for the needs of the Tollkeeper's Cottage.

TODAY!!!! May 3rd3 pm RON BEAUPRE Ron will speak about the Adventures of the steamboat/barge VIGILANT, a fisheries patro...
05/03/2026

TODAY!!!! May 3rd
3 pm RON BEAUPRE Ron will speak about the Adventures of the steamboat/barge VIGILANT, a fisheries patrol vessel built at Polson's in Toronto. She was launched to enforce fisheries regulations between the U.S. and Canada and involved with disputes on Lake Erie and elsewhere (No, there were no tariffs involved!) Refreshments served. $10. cash or e-transfer.

Address

750 Davenport Road
Toronto, ON
M6G2B3

Opening Hours

12pm - 4pm

Website

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