Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

The Toronto Normal School

Photos by Alan L Brown - March 2004

Just to the right of this statue of Egerton Ryerson, on the north side of Gould Street, west of Church Street across from Bond Street, stands an Ontario Heritage Trust plaque which says:

The Toronto Normal School, the first provincial institution for the systematic training of elementary school-teachers, was established in 1847 through the initiative of the Reverend Egerton Ryerson, Chief Superintendent of Schools for Canada West. In 1852 the School was located in Classical Revival style buildings designed for this site by F.W. Cumberland and Thomas Ridout. At first the Normal School had to provide academic instruction for some poorly educated student-teachers, but, increasingly, emphasis was placed on professional training. As a result the Toronto Normal School contributed significantly to the gradual improvement of teaching standards throughout Ontario and it became a leading centre for teacher-training. In 1941 the Normal School was moved to a different site and renamed Toronto Teachers' College in 1953.

Related Ontario plaque page
Stratford Normal School 1908

Plaque Location Co-ordinates: N 43 39.487 W 79 22.732

More educational buildings

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