University Toronto Schools (UTS), founded in 1910, is a private laboratory school on the University of Toronto downtown campus at Spadina and Bloor. Though UTS was originally created for the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Education, its affiliation with the University has shifted, yet maintained throughout the years. In 2011, University of Toronto reclaimed its building, asking UTS to relocate by 2021 with no option to renew its affiliation with the university. With a lot of effort to renegotiate, UTS successfully renewed its affiliation with University of Toronto and were granted permission to remain. During my practicum, I had the opportunity to go on a staff tour of the newly renovated building. Throughout the tour, many of the staff were reminiscing stories that were associated with the space. Despite the change of floorplans, the staff could recollect the old spaces. Though the building is newly renovated, remains of the original building can be seen throughout. For instance, the original brick wall surrounds the atrium, indicating the borders of the historic building. There are various old wooden benches that are refurbished and placed throughout the East hallways. As a historian, I felt that more could be done to reconnect the UTS community to its long history. This project is a blueprint that will support the community in ‘renewing memories.’ This project emphasizes the connection people have with places.
“How to get Bike Lanes in Your City” Creating a Video Essay About the History of Cycling Advocacy in Toronto In this public history digital media project automobile-centric public history is challenged by uncovering historical transit possibilities in the archives, joining local cycling advocates on Toronto’s streets, and platforming these perspectives on the digital platform Youtube. Filmed over the course of the spring of 2022, the short documentary titled “A Guide to Getting Bike Lanes in Your City” engages in public history and present activism in order to imagine a future where streets are safe and accessible for all the city’s users. Through archival research, interviews, and participant observation the project documents the process by which the Bloor Street bike lanes were implemented. It further highlights the long-term commitment and emotional labour which is required of advocates like Geoffrey, the painter of Toronto’s ghost bike memorials, to fight for change. Through the documentary filmmaking process the creator suggests that online platforms can provide an opportunity for members of the public to partake in forms of grassroots activism which can both inform and mobilize political decision-making. This project reveals that for academics and historians to be connected to their communities, they must engage in projects that are public-facing both in its creative process and audience outreach.