Context: -Located in , on the west end of the city, the site acted for a long time as a barrier for the Western end of the city of Toronto

New /Stanley is located in the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) just west of the Princes’ Gate

-Bordered by Princes’ Boulevard to the north, Newfoundland drive to the east, Lakeshore Road to the south and a parking lot to the West

History:

-Sketch of original New Fort York layout: Eastern Enlisted Men’s Barracks, Officer’s Barracks, Cavalry Barracks, Sergeant’s Barracks & Hospital

-Constructed as a naval fort by the

-Constructed in response to both the dilapidated condition of Fort York and the Upper Canada Rebellion, it was the latest in a series of renovations to update aging infrastructure, Fort Henry being a more complete representation of this style of naval fort

-Constructed in 1840-1841 in typical Canadian military needs, construction finished immediately after the building was needed and almost immediately fell into disuse

-Construction also mimicked the thinking of the time, soldiers aren’t people and don’t need families, they’re sub-human criminals! - No heat, no entertainment, no familial quarters, barrack doors lock on the exterior, etc. – this was a time when, if you joined the army, you usually served for life

-Changes came in the 1850s with the change in thinking – Cricket fields were installed for entertainment

-However, Toronto was a wild place at this time:

-1855 Clown Riots – Toronto the Good, Belfast of Canada – The Orange lodge holds sway over the city

-During the summer of 1855, a clown troupe came to the city

– Now these clowns, like all clowns, liked to clown around & after putting on shows during the day they spent their evenings in the various brothels and bars that lined Yonge street during that time

– However, one night, the clowns picked the wrong brothel, one frequented by members of a Hook and Ladder Firefighting Company (now, keep in mind these are not the upstanding public services they are today. Back in the 19th century your average firefighter was essentially a hired goon)

-Hook and Ladder companies were just as often to fight amonst themselves rather than put out a fire, and this particular company was known for this, having started a riot earlier that very year after attacking a competing firefighting company outside a burning building

- However, this evening did not go in the Firefighter’s favour, as they proceeded to be trouced by the visiting clown troop -The Firefighter’s did not take their beating well though, and gathered many of their local friends at the Orange Lodge to assist in beating the members of S.B. Howes’ Star Troupe Menagerie & Circus

-Violence broke out quickly with local cops (themselves members of the Orange Lodge) turning a blind eye to the beatings – The mayor was only able to prevent further violence by calling in the local militia/army units stationed at Fort York to quell the rioters

-In the 1860s the Fenian Raids saw increased use of the fort & the beginning of transition of the site to the Canadian government, with Dominion status being granted in 1867 & the Canadian government occupying the site in 1870

-Some of the earliest NWMP members were trained here in 1874 – Left the fort in a “state of disarray”

-Name of New Fort York changed to Stanley Barracks in 1893 in honour of Lord Stanley (of Stanley Cup fame)

-CNE first came to the grounds west of New Fort York in 1873 & would continue to encompass the fort as time went on

First World War

-Used as an internment camp & training ground for cavalry/soldiers, along with much of the CNE grounds

-Last time the site would be used as a major military site

Interwar Period

-CNE really begins to encroach on the military grounds

-Stanley Barracks given over to the City of Toronto by the Canadian Government, for CNE use/public use

World War 2

-Used as a staging area for troops along with the rest of the CNE

The Death of Stanley Barracks

-After WW2, Stanley Barracks buildings were used briefly for public housing

-by the early 1950s, the demand for parking grew too great within the CNE & the decision was made to demolish all structures except for the officer’s barracks for parking

-The officers barracks served as a museum from 1958-1998 for the Toronto Marine Museum

Stanley Barracks today

-once the museum closed, the officer’s barracks has sat vacant ever since

-Restored in the late 2010’s, the officer’s barracks is in better shape than it once was

-Archaeological excavation has occurred largely on the eastern end of the property once work began on the construction of Hotel X

New Fort York Notes:

-Eastern Enlisted Men’s Barracks – Changes to steel structure to rightly reflect the history of the Barracks (two stories not one; awnings; include window wells – A proper roof structure needs to be installed overtop to protect the existing foundations – the current water situation will lead to the complete destruction of the foundation remains)

Talk about the tunnel: https://torontoist.com/2012/09/toronto-urban-legends-explained-tunnel-visions/

Reconstruction/Museum Building – Reconstructing the sergeants barracks & cavalry barracks/general reading room

-glass structure between two buildings – stained glass on side to reflect

Calvary barracks (storage room/offices/archives) – Segreants Barracks (museum rooms)

-Glass structure welcome hall/gift shop Materials to reconstruct: - Modern methods and open concept? -Needs to be distinguished from the original stanely barracks -Stone slabs/façade? Steel frame with stone façade? -Will need modern amenities

-Reconstruction should either house original structures or be built within the footprint so archaeological elements can be protected/maintained

-Plaques used to discuss history & identify buildings

Stanley Barracks: house museum – period museum

-walk people through the various histories of New Fort York/Stanley Barracks

-possible elevator/walkway on exterior or interior for accessibility

-tunnel could either lead to the berm outside of the barracks or lead right into the structure