Discover Toronto’s history of healthcare, from the ground-breaking development of insulin to the inspiring story of Dr. Alexander Augusta, one of our first Black physicians. Learn how the city battled infectious disease, including the 1847 Typhus outbreak, and about the polio treatment in the 1950s that serves as a precursor to Canada’s epidemic and pandemic response today.

This Heritage Toronto tour runs rain or shine and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and consider bringing sunscreen and water to make your tour as enjoyable as possible. This tour relies on a loudspeaker sound system. For over 25 years, our goal has been to share Toronto’s history and showcase its architecture, spaces, communities and cultures with as many people as possible. We continue this commitment by providing these accessible tours and ask you to support this work by making a donation when you register or on the tour. This tour was developed and will be led by an emerging historian. Learn more about how Heritage Toronto is empowering the next generation of heritage advocates with our Emerging Historians Program.

Start Point:
23 College Street (outside Pogue Mahone)

End Point:
303 Adelaide Street West (Artscape Sandbox)

Cost & Registration:
Donations encouraged; pre-registration required