Mackenzie House — Attraction in Toronto

Smashing IT!

Historical Site.

Take a trip down Toronto's historical lane and enter the house of the remarkable William Lyon MacKenzie.

Rebel or Freedom fighter?

The house has still maintained it genius turn of the century charm.

The tour is very educational, and the tour guides are clearly well educated and know their Canadian history very well.

History buffs or just curious make sure you pay this historical gem a visit.

Historical Background;

"William Lyon Mackenziea was a Scottish Canadian-American journalist and politician. He founded newspapers critical of the Family Compact, a term used to identify elite members of Upper Canada. He represented York County in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada and aligned with Reformers. He led the rebels in the Upper Canada Rebellion; after its defeat, he unsuccessfully rallied American support for an invasion of Upper Canada as part of the Patriot War. Although popular for criticising government officials, he failed to implement most of his policy objectives. He is one of the most recognizable reformers of the early...

None of us had been to Mackenzie House before and didn't know what to expect. We had come to see the exhibit about employees from Eaton's who had served in WW1.

The six of us were the only ones in the museum so we were basically given a private tour by Bruce who I can only describe as a walking encyclopedia about the history of Mackenzie and the history of early Ontario. The house has three floors (including basement kitchen) and they are all covered in the tour.

After the tour of the house we spent some time in the print shop which is a recreation of a what Mackenzie's shop would have looked like. The guide in this area was also really well informed and engaging.

Everyone got to set up up some type and then print off a small one sheet memento of the visit.

We all had a great time. Well worth a visit.

Admission was $7 each.

We found street parking on Bond Street and there is also a parking lot nearby. This was on a Saturday morning so I'm not sure what it would be like...

I absolutely love Mackenzie House! Off the beaten tourist track, this wonderful spot in Toronto celebrates William Lyon Mackenzie, one of Canada’s greatest (and under appreciated) reformers. If you cherish history and are devoted to democracy, this is a must-visit.

The house is beautifully preserved and offers a fascinating look into the 1860s. While younger kids may squirm with boredom through the house, adults will find the stories engaging. A standout feature is the historic printing press demonstration, showcasing the era's journalism.

It's also worth noting that Mackenzie fought for the abolition of slavery and worked with Mary Ann Shadd a pioneer in her own right, being the first woman and first black printmaker in North America. Despite some recent damage from a leak, the city has done well to keep the house open. If you cherish history, Mackenzie House is a true treasure!

And yes, that’s my caricature of the one and only William...