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TORONTO - From Tuesday, September 10 to Sunday, September 15, 2013, the Toronto neighbourhood of St. Clair Avenue West will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first St. Clair streetcar and the opening of the first of the car barns on Wychwood Avenue. The St. Clair Streetcar Centennial Celebration will offer a microcosm of the area's history and will celebrate the significance of public transit in the community.
Hosted and organized by the Wychwood Barns Community Association (WBCA), celebratory activities will include:
- Public opening and reception (Sept. 10, 7 p.m.)
- Historical chats on vintage streetcars along the 512 St. Clair TTC route;
- A historic retrospective about the area;
- An art exhibition showcasing vintage TTC Advertising;
- A scavenger hunt and Heritage Toronto walking tour;
- Silent films with live musical accompaniment;
- Professional storytelling;
- Doors Open-style tours of community organizations;
- "Rockin' the Rocket" street festival along St. Clair Ave. W.
"The community of St. Clair West is steeped in fascinating history dating back to the early 1900s," says Ruth Baumann, WBCA president. "In 1913, St. Clair Avenue was Toronto's northern city limit, a dirt road with very little in the way of commercial or residential buildings. The building of the St. Clair streetcar line signalled the beginning of residential and commercial development and the birth of our thriving, diverse community." The first historic St. Clair (Wychwood) Carhouse officially opened in 1914 and served as the repair and storage facility for streetcars serving multiple lines. In 2008, the Wychwood Barns were completely repurposed as a multi-use Arts facility by Artscape, a not-for-profit urban development organization. "The TTC remains the lifeblood of Toronto, now as it was in 1913. Public transit allowed Toronto to become the admired world-class city it is today," says TTC Chair Karen Stintz. "We are thrilled to see how Artscape's repurposing of the historic car barns and the WBCA's community engagement has further invigorated this wonderful neighbourhood." The Artscape Wychwood Barns (601 Christie Street) will serve as headquarters for the St. Clair Streetcar Centennial Celebration, featuring receptions, displays and performances. The WBCA has also developed Discover St Clair, a free mobile app and historical website (see details below) to provide a greater depth of knowledge and enjoyment for the community. Limited quantities of commemorative merchandise will be available featuring TTC inspired designs. EVENT HIGHLIGHTS SEPTEMBER 10-15: - An exhibition in the Wychwood Barns' Covered Street, featuring the history of St. Clair West and the streetcar line through a series of photographic panels, professional storytellers, silent films and other displays open to public and visiting school groups.
- Transit historians and bloggers Steve Munro and Greg Gormick will host free, guided tours on a historic PCC streetcar from Bathurst St. to Lansdowne Ave.
- TTC's only surviving Peter Witt streetcar (which ran on St. Clair from 1921 to 1963) will be on display at the Oakwood Loop, at Oakwood Ave. and Robina Ave.
- Author and columnist Mike Filey will discuss Toronto Then & Now at Wychwood Library.
- The merchants of St. Clair host "Rockin' the Rocket," a street festival featuring TTC buskers, a sidewalk sale, commemorative food and drinks in local restaurants, and artistic window displays.
- Open houses/tours/exhibits will be held at local churches, schools and non-profit organizations throughout the community.
- Official opening of the new Regal Heights Parkette.
MOBILE APP AND WEBSITE: September 10, 2013 will mark the official launch of the Discover St Clair mobile app and website. The website features extensive historical information including architectural details about the buildings and other landmarks, influential people, and defining events in the neighbourhoods adjoining St. Clair Avenue. The mobile app provides on-the-go access to all this information, along with location-aware tours and augmented reality, allowing users to view historic images in a modern context. The app was developed in conjunction with the Ryerson University Library and Archives and Department of Architectural Science and is available for iOS on the App Store and Android on Google Play. ABOUT WBCA: The WBCA is a volunteer-run organization that strives to create a more liveable community through programming and events at 'The Barns'. It was founded in 2008 as a link between the surrounding community and the facility. The WBCA has since organized and facilitated over 30 events in the community, runs the Community Gallery, maintains a community website and developed a volunteer network of more than 100 people. If you'd like to get involved as an event sponsor or volunteer, please contact: volunteerwbca@gmail.com This celebration is made possible by funding from Canadian Heritage, Ontario Trillium Foundation and TD as well as several other sponsors and partners. For more information, visit: www.atthebarns.org SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Facebook: www.facebook.com/WychwoodBarnsWBCA Twitter: #SCW100 For further information please contact: Mary Pattison at 647-238-6864 | 
