Archives of Ontario

Starting next week, we're doing a deep dive into our soccer records. It’s a sport that you might be hearing a thing or two about in the coming months. From military teams in the early 20th century to professional teams in the 1970s and more!

There's a lot to share. Stay tuned!

[Dutch soldiers playing soccer by Herbert Nott in Ontario, circa 1940-1949 (Herbert Nott fonds, C 109-18-4-15 H, image I0008956)]

Talk about a photo you don't see every day. This photo from our The Globe and Mail collection shows workers putting the finishing touches on the iconic CN Tower in 1975. This last addition made it the tallest free-standing structure in the world at the time!

[Helicopter lifting CN Tower antenna into place, 1975 (The Globe and Mail subject photography, F 4695-1, image NCG16117A)]

The Ontario Northland has long connected communities across Northeastern Ontario. Today, the Polar Bear Express continues to run between Cochrane and Moosonee, while the Northlander passenger service is set to return for the first time in over a decade.

[Ontario Northland Railway train arriving at Timmins, circa 1949-1955 (Tourism promotion photographs collection, RG 65-35-1-675, box B116438)]

Watch out! Rollercoasters and waterslides weren't the only thrills in Vaughan when this photo was taken in 1988. Workers used techniques like this to assemble this home in the neighbourhood of Maple in under five hours.

[Workers assemble a house in Maple, Vaughan, February 1, 1988 (The Globe and Mail subject photography, F 4695-1, image HPA075780A)]

Today’s the day! Join us at the Archives of Ontario for Doors Open Toronto 2026!

Take a look behind the scenes, meet our experts, and enjoy activities for all ages.

We’re just across the street from York U. TTC Station. Discover something unexpected! https://archives-on-en.visitlink.me/L7mZdN

May is Asian Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the histories, diverse cultures and significant contributions of people of East, South, Southeast and Central Asian descent to Ontario's past, present and future.

Renowned Ontario-based architect Raymond Moriyama, whose parents came to Canada from Japan in the 1920s, grew up in Hamilton and studied architecture at the University of Toronto . He went on to design many provincial landmarks as co-founder of Moriyama Teshima Architects, including the Bata Shoe Museum, the Ontario Science Centre, Science North and the Canadian War Museum.

We're proud to care for two collections of records that preserve Moriyama's professional and personal histories for future generations: the Raymond Moriyama fonds (F 4449) and the Moriyama and Teshima Architects fonds (F 2187). Visit our GLAM-Wiki page to discover photos from Moriyama's own collection, including images that capture his early school days and family trips to Niagara Falls: https://archives-on-en.visitlink.me/ybce85



1. Raymond Moriyama as an infant sitting on a wicker chair, circa 1930 (Raymond Moriyama fonds, F 2187, image I0020983)

2. Raymond Moriyama's father John Michi standing in front of his car; Raymond and his mother, Elsie Nobuko, are in the back seat, circa 1931 (Raymond Moriyama fonds, F 2187, image I0020984)

3. Raymond Moriyama's sister Margie, his mother Elsie Nobuko, and his sister Joan at Niagara Falls, circa 1945 (Raymond Moriyama fonds, F 2187, image I0020992)

Today is , a day to celebrate the rich history, diverse heritage and values of all those who call Ontario home. In honour of the occasion, we're sharing the cover from the programme for the first flag raising ceremony at Queen's Park, Toronto, on May 21, 1965.

[Flag raising ceremony for the Ontario flag, 1965 (Ministry of Colleges and Universities alphabetical central registry files, RG 32-1-1, image I0052583)]