Multicultural History Society of Ontario

Founded in 1976 by a group of academics,civil servants, archivists and librarians, the MHSO is a not-for-profit educational institution that works with ethnocommunities, cultural agencis and institutions to preserve, record and make accessible archival and other material which demonstrate the role of immigration and ethnicity in shaping the cultural and economic growth of Ontario and Canada.

About the Collections

Primary Source Materials (see description of Archival Collection)

Secondary Source Materials: Scholarly Jouranls, Theses, Publication books, etc.

Approximate number of objects in the collections: Over 9,000

Archives

Over 9,000 houses of oral testimony drawn from 70, ethnocultural groups.

Photogrphs: Over 60,000 photographs, The majority are unpublished family photographs.

Ethnic Press Collection Documents: Diaries, Jubilee Volumes, Almanacs, Correspondence, Passports etc.

Manuscripts • Microforms • Films and Videos • Photographs • Sound Recordings

Human History

Oral testimony collections a wide spectrum, including people who came before the First Wrold War as well Post War arrivals, refugees and other recent arrivals.

Imaging : Photographs : Video • Oral History
Other: Letters, Diaries, ethnocommunity flyers ,articles etc.

Services & Activities

1. Publishing
2. Exhibitions Planning and Design
3. Research Services
4. Community Events
5. Educational workshops
6. Training in Oral History Methodology
7. Multicultural (ie. resource list of experts, community organizations)

Research Services

Reference services for scholars and students, of all ages interested members of the public.

Resource persons, experts research and production of reports and surveys for a number of institutions including government and social service agencies.

Oral testimony workshops and preservation of group and personal records and all interested persons.

Archival Records • Genealogical Research • Information Centre • Library • Video Library • Conference or Symposium

Educational Programs

Workshop: On Community mapping; how to do orla history;Neighbourhood Photo Essays.
Slide show presentation "Early ethnic history of Toronto"; "Inspectors relic" workshops (exploring history) for grades 4-10.
Talks: Multiculturalism as Public policy to school andcommunity groups.

Classes or Workshops • Internships • Lectures • School Programs
Other: Professional Development Day workshops for teachers and business re: Equaty and antiracism; Asian Heritage Month;Website/Curriculum programme for the "Global Gathering Place".

Visitor Services

Exhibit tours at the centre and heritage gallery of Canada's peoples.
Reference Services; Publication sales

Bilingual Services • Information Centre or Desk • Washrooms • Guided Tours : English • Audio Guides : English • Special Needs Facilities : Washrooms : Wheelchair access
Other Guided Tours: Provide Bilingual Services and other languages on request.

Internet Services

General Information • Collections • Events • Education • Children

Publications and Products

1. Publictions includes monographs, conference proceedings, ethnocultural voices series, reference works including the Encyclopedia of Canada's Peoples;Ethnic Studies and Oral Testimony Guidebook and, of course, one bulletin Polyphony.

2. Educational Curricula materials including: Coming to Gum San (hardcover publication); The Chinese in Canada education kit, Global Gathering Place electronic education site; Exhibitions (traveling) and exhibit catalogues.

Map

Location

Address:	43 Queen's Park Crescent East Toronto, Ontario M5S 2C3 See Map
Telephone:	(416)-979-2973
Fax:	(416)-979-7947
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