What's On at the Library

Producing History in an Auto Town: Oshawa After World War II

This fall's History Matters series wraps up at the Pape/Danforth branch next Wednesday, November 16, 6:30 pm with this talk on an important slice of history in the city of Oshawa. Christine McLaughlin is a fifth year PhD student at York University. In this talk she explores Oshawa following World War II and in particular looks at the way in which the members of the United Auto Workers at General Motors shaped the city's history during this period. For more information or directions, call 416-393-7657.

History Matters, now in its second year, aims to connect working historians with the public. The historians have an opportunity to showcase their recent work while the public is able to take part in the debates. We explored the events around the e. coli outbreak in Walkerton with Joy Parr (University of Western Ontario), learned about the environmental activism of Rosalie Bertell (Lisa Rumiel, McMaster) and got a front row seat in the clash between politics and urban planning (Stephen Bocking, Trent).  We thank The History Education Network (THEN/Hier) for their generous assistance in making this series possible. To see podcasts of previous lectures, please go to activehistory.ca.

 

 

 

When Politics and History Collide--Building Postwar Toronto

Annette Street Branch  Monday, November 7,  7-8 pm

How are cities built and developed? Who decides? The History Matters series continues with Stephen Bocking’s talk on Toronto’s history in the rapid-growth decades following World War II.  Debates about land use and infrastructure are not new, nor are the tensions between urban planners and scientists on the one hand, and politicians on the other, as this talk will show.

Stephen Bocking is a Professor and Chair of the Environmental & Resource Studies Program, Trent University. In addition to his research interests, he writes for the Alternatives Journal , contributing articles on the “unnatural disaster” that was Katrina, to art and science, DDT and much more. (Photo above is from Toronto of the 1950s by Derek Flack, blogto.com)

History Matters 2011 has brought some fascinating talks to Toronto Public Library branches. We began at Lillian H. Smith Branch near the old Spadina garment district with a talk by Professor Ruth Frager on the lives and struggles of Jewish garment workers. Other talks explored the work of environmental activist Rosalie Bartell; the uses and abuses of the Don River Valley; the building of Dufferin and St. Clair; the history of Labour Day; Walkerton and the devastation of e.coli. The talks have been recorded so if you missed one, you can listen to a podcast www.activehistory.ca. The series has been possible by a genorous grant from The History Education Network.

History Matters wraps up with Producing History in an Auto Town: Oshawa After World War II on Wednesday, November  16, 6:30-8 pm at the Pape/Danforth Branch. For more information, call 416-393-7657. The speaker is Christine McLaughlin, York University.

Part of Thought Exchange. Click here for more Thought Exchange programs.