Enoch Turner Schoolhouse
Enoch Turner Schoolhouse
4.5
About
Enoch Turner Schoolhouse is an historic site and museum owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust. The school was built in 1848, when it was known as the Ward School. The original one-room school was established in 1848 by Enoch Turner, a wealthy brewer and philanthropist, to educate the children in the poor neighbourhood surrounding his brewery. Because many of the area's immigrant families were from County Cork in Ireland, the neighbourhood became known as Corktown – a nickname it still carries today.Turner supplied the funds to construct the Schoolhouse and the land was donated by the adjacent Little Trinity Church. In 1849, the school opened with space for 240 pupils and Turner paid for its operation for three years. It was the first free school in Toronto.In 1859, classes were relocated to the nearby Palace Street School at Palace Street (now Front Street East) and Cherry Street. The Trinity Street School and property were returned to Little Trinity parish, and from the 1860s to the 1960s the school served as a parish hall and Sunday school for the church. In addition, the School and hall served as a recruiting station during the Second Boer War and the World War I, and a soup kitchen during the Great Depression. Due to a severe fire at Little Trinity Anglican Church in 1961, the parish could no longer afford to care for the school building, and it fell into disrepair. By the late 1960s, the building was slated for demolition.To protect the building and raise funds for its restoration, a group of citizens together with members of the Little Trinity Church congregation set up the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation on October 8, 1970. The former Trinity Street School was renamed Enoch Turner Schoolhouse. After extensive interior and exterior renovations, the Schoolhouse opened as a living history site and conference and reception centre. In March 2008, the ownership and operation of the Schoolhouse were transferred to the Ontario Heritage Trust from the Foundation. The Enoch Turner Schoolhouse Foundation continues as an independent charitable organization, working with the Trust to support the programming and operation of the Schoolhouse. The museum is open for education programs by appointment and open to walk-in visitors during regular business hours.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
8 reviews
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Roberta G
Oshawa, Canada12 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
From the first day we toured the venue we knew it was where we wanted to hold our daughter,s wedding. The venue is an old school and chapel combined. You have use of the entire building so there is no need to leave the site. They even corded off an area outside where we set up some small tables. Parking is handy just across the road. The staff was amazing. They helped to set up and made sure nothing was left to chance. The caterer recommended was so accommodating. Ian from Herrera,s supplied us with great information and helped so much with the total planning of the meal and the timing. His staff was superb. We could not have dreamed of a more enchanting venue.
Written August 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LMarieG
Guelph, Canada20 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
We attended a wedding at the school house in June. The size of the venue was large enough to feel spacious, but small enough to feel intimate. The food and service were excellent. I asked for a last minute modification to my meal and they accommodated.
Written July 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave D
Norton, MA2,143 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
We briefly learned about Enoch Turner and how he built this schoolhouse to help educated Irish immigrant children so they could get a better life in Toronto. Amazing building from the 1800's and a great spot to learn about "Corktown".
Written September 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane C
43 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
Great setting in the "church" side of the building. The acoustics are wonderful for any teacher or preacher but a little challenging for a singer. Nonetheless the concert was brilliant and Phillip Addis and Emily Hamper accomplished musicians. It was so wonderful to be there to hear this great art. The Schoolhouse was a good setting for "The Pilgrim Soul" .
Written February 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
operalover939
Toronto, Canada2,938 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
I was here for a memorial service, but the space, once a 19th-century school house, is available for other events as well, such as weddings and concerts. It is a well-preserved historical venue, spacious, with a high ceiling and large windows that let in a lot of light. Historical information is on display on the walls, allowing the visitor to put the building in context. Well worth visiting.
Written November 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
operalover939
Toronto, Canada2,938 contributions
Dec 2019
Several of us were here last night to attend a performance of "Figaro's Wedding" by Against the Grain Theatre, Joel Ivanu's adaptation of the Mozart opera. The audience numbered about a hundred, arranged in two different ways -- seating was rearranged during the two intermissions. The opera was highly entertaining. It runs for another week; try to get to it if you can. The acoustics are fine; the sight lines excellent.
Written December 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leslie071
Bothwell, Ontario, Canada84 contributions
Sep 2012 • Couples
We attended my Niece's wedding here. Amazing! This historical School basically steps you back in time when you walk through the doors. The school room has desks and furnishings from the era and the church has beautiful windows and original architecture. This building creates an enchanting, intimate setting for a wedding. The caterers they use are superb! Our food the champagne and horsdouvers to the dinner choices to the snacks served at 11pm were excellent. The staff working her wedding were warm, friendly attentive and took excellent care of her and all of her guests. This is a fantastic Historical site for events! We were impressed! BRAVO! We hope that we have the pleasure of attending an event here again some day. Perfect place for an intimate wedding!
Written September 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alison L
Leslie: thank you for your review of the Schoolhouse - glad to hear you had such a wonderful time at your niece's wedding!
Written September 25, 2012
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Roberta B
Grimsby, Canada25 contributions
Jun 2012 • Friends
Great location for a special event. Charm of the old school house made it a very special place to hold a wedding. Both the ceremony and the reception were on site and we couldn't have asked for a better set up!
Written July 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alison L
Glad you enjoyed your time at the Schoolhouse, Roberta! Thank you for your review.
Written September 25, 2012
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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