From its opening in 1876 to its closure in 2009, an Orillia, Ontario, institution for people with cognitive challenges has had a long and difficult history. In 2013, former residents of the institution have reached a compensation settlement with the Ontario government.
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What initially began as an oral history project blossomed into an extensive community-wide celebration of heritage with over 100 volunteers amassing a collection of over 4,000 photographic images and family documents.
Ms. Whitfield’s students took part in “Historical Thinking Missions,” where they conducted historical research and field work to learn about the history of Toronto’s St. John’s Ward. Students learned how to interpret and analyze historical photographs, fire insurance maps, tax assessment records, and census data.
