In March of this year, I joined a group of Heritage Toronto members who were gathered inside the St. Matthew's Lawn Bowling Clubhouse on Broadview Avenue.
The Riverdale Historical Society and Heritage Toronto arranged for a presentation of two plaques commemorating the houses at the Don Jail (the Gatekeeper's House and the Governor's House).
Afterward we were treated to a special tour of the refurbished Don Jail.
We gathered on the second floor of the new Bridgepoint Active Health Centre, where an architect from ERA proudly began to explain some of the highlights surrounding the restoration of the Don.
We were lead through a skywalk that connected the health centre to the jail.
Restoration included removing some 30 coats of lead paint from all of the walls, and installing storm windows for better energy consumption.
The cells have been converted into administration offices, but the exterior entranceways have been left. The architects installed frosted glass where the cell doors would have been, and the interior walls were removed to accomodate office spaces.
The rotunda, with its catwalks and sky lights was fascinating....
A closer look at the supports:
It should be noted here that some human remains were found during the excavations in 2007, and you can read about it here in the Star:
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/260592
John Greene was the first jail Governor and resided in the building until the stink of vomit, urine and molds from the cells finally forced him and his wife to move into their own residence on Gerrard Street.
According to the City of Toronto, the official plans for the remainder of the property will include a public park and a multi-use pathway to Riverdale East.
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