Spadina House Toronto
A visit to the outstanding Spadina Museum Historic House and Gardens in Toronto will transport you back to another era
In Toronto there is an outstanding museum that totally gives one the feeling that time is standing still in the era of the 1920s and 30s when things were simpler in one way and harder in another — a time when neighbours knew, trusted and helped one another. While lesser known than its larger neighbour Casa Loma, Spadina Museum Historic House and Gardens are equally and perhaps even more worthy of your time.
Spadina House has a long and interesting history. In 1866 James Austin, founder and president of the Dominion Bank and Consumers Gas, and his wife Susan had purchased the 80 acre property for $14,000 at an auction. They built the current mansion on the foundations of the pre-existing Baldwin home that was named Spadina and kept the same name for their new home. The name Spadina comes from a native word espadinong meaning hill.
During 1887-1892 he subdivided and sold parcels of his sought after land making around $200,000 a very abundant profit.
Amid the 19th and early 20th century this desired area became the home to many of Toronto's wealthiest families living on huge estates making it the richest neighbourhood in all of Toronto.
After James Austin passed away in 1897 his son Albert inherited the estate with 20 acres of land. Albert and his wife Mary greatly expanded the house adding a number of new rooms and altering it significantly with many renovations, including a grand third floor addition. They also updated and increased the beauty of the gardens with many new structures such as a greenhouse, a stucco garage and circular driveway. They left the mid-nineteenth century wooden stable which was later used for the gardeners until the late 1920s. This is the oldest building on the grounds.
In 1913 Albert Austin sold a big portion of his property to the city of Toronto for the development of the St. Clair Reservoir.
In 1978 Anna Kathleen Thompson (granddaughter of James and Susan Austin) partially sold and partially donated the mansion jointly to the city of Ontario and the Ontario Heritage Foundation. The transfer included furnishings, archives, family portraits, about 6 acres of gorgeous gardens in a park-like setting, and even the kitchen oven. These prized family possesions were given to the museum to honour her parents Albert and Mary.
The Spadina Museum first opened to the public in 1984 after two years of extensive safety updates and electrical rewiring were completed.
Twenty-five years later, after all the wear and tear from visitors who came to see the museum, it was once again closed for renovations. These renos which were made to the interior took 10 months to complete. Samples of leftover fabrics, wallpaper and other contents from the Austin family made it possible to create a vision of the way the house looked in the 1920s as well as educating guests about the social, economical and political lives of those living in that era.
Spadina House Museum has several guided tours of the historic 1866 restored mansion and beautiful gardens. There is a gift shop and it is fully accessible for those with special needs.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes there is a small admission fee which includes a tour when available.Spadina House Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
- Thursday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
- Friday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Address: 285 Spadina Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 2V5, Canada
Phone: (416) 392-6910
Official Website: Spadina House
Spadina House Reviews
Rated out of 5
Had such a wonderful experience which I did not expect. Everything in the house is so beautiful and well-maintained. We did the tour with Emilia and she was just so knowledgeable and pleasant. The tour was extremely interesting and the highlight for me was being able to play the grand piano from 1878. Didn’t think I would love this *free* experience so much. Highly recommend.
Felise Uy - a week ago
What a beautiful historic house. It's set up as it would've been in the 1920s-1930s and it's incredible.
The history, the layout and design, the beautiful items inside.
Really enjoyed it visit and tour. Our guide was great, she had lots of knowledge on the place and the way things were run.
Would love to come back again sometime.
Mike T - 4 months ago
Beautiful museum! The staff were friendly, polite, and enthusiastic. We received a wonderful free guided tour. Would recommend reaching at least 45 minutes before the start time of the schedule that you are planning to attend - especially on the weekends.
Dhanya A - 2 months ago
You need to check the free guide time so that you can enter the museum! The last enter time is 4pm, so make sure you join there guide tour!! *all free*😀
The tour guide is nice and make sure you follow the group to hear the history which is fine…**BUT** you don’t have that much time to take pictures for yourself there.
Me and my girls dress up for this museum to take beautiful pictures but we didn’t have time, after the tour they just asked us to exit.
(But I believe that is a good way to protect those furniture and other decoration stuffs!!😀)
Catherine Chen - 3 months ago
We had a tour by Serena and she was excellent. She was very knowledgeable and helpful!
Edit: Visited again in December and attended the jazz Christmas themed tour by Tiber. Tiber was an incredible tour guide. Tiber was so funny, engaging, and well informed on the history. So amazing!
Tanuj Pandya - 2 weeks ago
Directions
| TTC Subway Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Yonge-University-Spadina | Dupont Station | 8-10 MInutes |
How to get to Spadina House by TTC Subway
No bus needed. From Dupont Station walk 2 blocks north on Spadina Road to Davenport Road then follow the Baldwin stairs (110 steps) up the hill directly ahead of you. Spadina House is located right next door to Casa Loma.
If you prefer not to use the stairs you can proceed west on Davenport Road; right on Wallace Road and right again on Austin Terrace.
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Photo Gallery
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Beautiful Staircase Inside the Spadina House Museum cc licensed photo by Vytas Bru -
Inside the Spadina House cc licensed photo by Vytas Bru -
Photo Credit: booledozer - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: booledozer - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: booledozer - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: booledozer - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: booledozer - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: booledozer - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: booledozer - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: booledozer - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: booledozer - cc license via Flickr
