Mackenzie House

Visited the Mackenzie House today for a workshop on the printing press. The two ladies who gave the presentation shared incredible insight on the history behind the printing press and our first ‘rebel mayor.’ They also guided us through the steps in making our own posters and bookmarks which we were able to take home. Overall, a fun while educational experience for the kids and myself.

The walking tour is very informative. You learn the history of the area, William Mackenzie and other people who walked our streets in the past. Great workshops for the family to learn about printing and the history of printing.

Was given a thorough tour of the house and printing workshop, although the house itself is down for indefinite maintenance and does not have anything to see. Anyone hoping to visit the house should wait for the renovations being completed and announced on the Toronto website before visiting.

Was a really enjoyable museum and tour. Learned a lot and got a glimpse into how Mackenzie would have lived. And the printing press demo was a fun way to end the tour.

It was really fun to attend. They also have a tour given by a very nice woman and a historical printing machine. You get to experience how classis newspaper printing and publishing was done.

Even though the main house is closed due to water damage, the hands on “tour” of the printing press and some of storytelling of the newspapers that William Mackenzie printed and distributed was fun. Vanna did a great job - there were only two of us, so it was essentially a private tour. She also talked about others who printed local newspapers, like Mary Ann Shadd, who has quite a story of her own. It was interesting thinking about the process that used to be used to print and communicate.

I love going to this museum, it's a fascinating look at life back in the early days of Toronto. My last visit was the best yet. From getting to make Christmas cards on the old printing press (very old), drinking apple cider, eating delicious shortbread and hearing Bruce tell a wonderful Christmas ghost story by candlelight. I highly recommend this beautiful museum of the first mayor of Toronto. It transports a person back in time.

A small but interesting museum devoted to publisher and first mayor of Toronto William Lyon Mackenzie. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and passionate. I really love their hands on printing experience. Pro tip for Toronto residents: you can get a free pass to historic sites in Toronto from your local Toronto Public Library. Just ask for the MAP pass.

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 on weekdays.

Printing workshop is so lovely and interesting. The hosts are the guys who spread the love for what they do and involve you to this small part of Toronto history and the fate of the first mayor Mckenzie. Recommended for visiting, eventhough the house itself is under renovation right now.