Hart House, UofT, Great Hall Heraldry Restoration

The Royal Arms which underwent restoration. Click on the image to view before and after restoration images.

Toronto Branch President Ilona Jurkiewicz presents to Caroline Pereira, Senior Development Officer, Hart House, a $1,000 cheque donation at a dinner function at Hart House (April 26, 2008)

Society's President Allan Bird presents to Caroline the Society's donation of $500 at the same dinner function at Hart House (April 26, 2008)

Canada's finest display of heraldry located in the Great Hall in Hart House, University of Toronto, originally created by the legendary Alexander Scott Carter, was partially restored the summer of 2007, thanks to the generosity of individuals and institutions from around the world, in particular, to the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada, the Toronto Branch and Society members. The South Wall of the Great Hall boasts the arms of the British Royal Family surrounded by 51 coats of arms representing universities of the British Empire. The display was designed to honour the forces who fought during the First World War. Each of the beautiful works of art were patiently and expertly restored over the summer months by Zograph Studio.

The South wall of the Great Hall had been completed during the latter half of 2007. The University now shifts its focus to restoring the North wall which contains the coats of arms of 74 universities from countries allied with Canada and Britain in the First World War including France, Belgium, the United States, Serbia, Romania, Italy, Russia, Japan, Portugal, Poland, New Zealand, Yugoslavia and Greece. The complete restoration of the coats of arms is approximately $120,000 of which $45,000 has been applied to the restoration of the South wall.

The Royal Heraldry Society of Canada, and its Toronto Branch and some of its members (including Professor David Butler, The Hon. Mr Justice Colin Lazier, Mr. John E. Ruch, Mr. David E. Rumball, Dr. Robert B. Salter, Mr. John B. Wilkes) have donated collectively $5,650 towards the restoration of the South wall, or approximately 12.5% being the largest donation to that portion of the project. The first donation of $1,000 was presented to Hart House on Monday, May 28, 2001 by the Society to the Warden of Hart House at that time by the name of Margaret Hancock. This initial donation was to spearhead the fund drive for the restoration of the heraldry in the Great Hall.

Hart House continues to appeal for funds to support the restoration and conservation of this great armorial display. It is vital that the heraldic tradition, and the global fellowship it represents, is maintained for the benefit of future generations.

For further information, or to make a contribution to the restoration of the heraldic display at Hart House, please contact:

Christine Campbell
Director of Public Relations and Development
Hart House, University of Toronto
7 Hart House Circle
Toronto, ON M5S 3H3
tel: 416.978.7076
fax: 416.978.8387