The United Church of Canada’s Toronto Archives Is Moving

TORONTO - March 6, 2013 - The United Church of Canada announced today that its Toronto-based archives will be moving this summer from its current location at the United Church’s national office in west-end Toronto to the Toronto Christian Resource Centre in the Regent Park neighbourhood of downtown Toronto.

In announcing the decision on the new location for the archives, Nora Sanders, General Secretary of the General Council, said, “I am pleased that this move will mean not only that we will be saving a considerable amount of money but also that as a tenant we will be financially supporting a local United Church ministry.”

Sanders says that in addition to being able to house the United Church’s archival collection now located at the General Council Office at 3250 Bloor Street West in Toronto, the new location at 40 Oak Street offers more than enough space to accommodate records that are currently stored off-site at an archival facility.

She explains the decision to move the archives ahead of the anticipated relocation of the General Council Office to Bloor Street United Church in 2018 was an opportunity that made financial sense for all parties to the five-year lease agreement.

The United Church of Canada supports a network of archives situated in eight different locations throughout Canada. The archives in Toronto manages the records of the General Council and the Central Ontario Conference records of Bay of Quinte, London, Hamilton, Manitou, and Toronto Conferences and their respective presbyteries and pastoral charges. The church’s archives outside of Ontario are not affected by the move.

The United Church’s Toronto archives moved to its current location in 2008, after more than 50 years on the campus of the University of Toronto’s Victoria University. No decision has been made about whether the Archives will move again when the General Council Office relocates to Bloor Street United Church.

Nichole Vonk, General Council Archivist, will oversee the monumental task of moving close to 20,000 boxes of records to the new site. The church will be contracting specialized movers, the new location will meet the institutional standards set by the Canadian Council of Archives, and all the records will continue to be administered by professional staff.

Although not located directly on a subway line, the Archives’ new location at 40 Oak Street is easily accessible by public transit, will have on-site parking, and is closer to the United Church’s theological school at the University of Toronto.

While planning and preparations are underway to move the collection from its current location,

...the Archives will remain open during regular public hours until June 6, 2013.

...the Archives will not receive any records deposits after April 30, 2013. Records can be donated to the Archives when it reopens in September 2013.

...the Archives will be closed to all researchers June 10–September 15, 2013, reopening in the new location September 16, 2013.

...the Archives will continue to provide reference service for certificates or legal requests while it is closed to the public.

Vonk emphasizes that, throughout the transition, the church remains committed to providing continued uninterrupted, open access to its archival records related to residential schools for the purposes of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

For up-to-date information about The United Church of Canada’s archival programs and on the move, see the Archives webpage. Questions and concerns about the move should be directed to Nichole Vonk, General Council Archivist.

University of Guelph to Preserve Sleeman Family History

GUELPH, Ontario - March 25, 2013 - University of Guelph News Release - A few kegs’-worth of Canadian and local heritage have come to the University of Guelph for safekeeping.

The University has acquired the Sleeman Collection, chronicling the history of one of the country’s oldest breweries, for its archival and special collections at the McLaughlin Library.

The collection includes photographs, business records, newspapers, correspondence and other materials showing the brewing dynasty’s impact on Canada in the past 150 years, from industry advancement to infrastructure to politics.

“For many years, we have been accumulating my family’s historical artifacts,” said John W. Sleeman, company founder and chairman and great-great-grandson of the original brewmaster, John H. Sleeman.

“I have always hoped that we could somehow preserve them for the future but also make them available for the public to see and enjoy. I’m delighted to say that, with the University of Guelph’s wonderful archival facilities, this has now been made possible.”

The University will unveil the collection at an event April 3 during Archives Awareness Week.

Sleeman will speak along with Ian Bowering, a beer historian and author, and Rebecca Graham, the University’s chief information officer and chief librarian. The library will display portions of the collection and launch a new collection website that day.

The event will take place from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Academic Town Square, located on the first floor of the library with a reception to follow.

“This is an important contribution to our regional history collection,” said Kathryn Harvey, head of archival and special collections.

“The Sleeman family has a long and rich history in this area, playing a role not just in the brewing business but in the very fabric of Guelph society. They were involved in early transportation, sports and community growth, and contributed to political and social life.”

The University has acquired the material in phases over recent years. U of G hopes to have the collection designated as Canadian cultural property.

Under four main categories – biographies, breweries, regional history, and sports and social clubs – the website highlights the company’s history from its founder’s arrival in Upper Canada through Prohibition to today’s brewing operation. More extensive records on these and other areas are available for study in the collection itself.

Sleeman history highlights:

...John H. Sleeman first opened the Stamford Spring Brewery on the Niagara River. He relocated to Guelph, where he established Silver Creek Brewery in 1851.

...After taking over in 1867, Sleeman’s son, George, doubled production and established outlets in 15 cities.

...George became the first mayor of the new City of Guelph, and helped introduce hydroelectric power and pay for streetcar service.

...Debts incurred after George single-handedly funded construction of the Guelph Railway Co. prompted a bank takeover of Silver Creek Brewery in 1902.

...George and his wife, Sarah, opened rival Spring Bank Beverages in the same year. In 1906, he bought back Silver Creek Brewery and merged both businesses under management of his son Henry.

...During Prohibition, Henry and his brothers smuggled alcohol for more than a decade. They were charged with smuggling and tax evasion in 1933. The family’s brewing licence was suspended and the family barred from brewing for 50 years.

...Nearly 50 years later, John W. Sleeman’s Aunt Florian shared his grandfather’s recipe book and family history and encouraged him to start brewing. Sleeman Brewing and Malting Co. Ltd. opened with the original recipes, bottles and trademarks in 1988.

...The company has grown and acquired several firms over the years and is now a national company with breweries and other facilities from coast to coast.

...In 2006 Sapporo Brewery of Japan acquired Sleeman.

...John Sleeman remains involved with the company on a daily basis and is the company’s chairman.