How the excitement of the 1855 Toronto Circus is brought to life near Innisfil

Adam Bunch, Canadian storyteller and recipient of the 2023 Governor General's History Award for Popular Media: Pierre Burton Award, will use his unique perspective on history to engage members and the public of the Tecumseth and West Gwillimbury Historical Society (TWGHS) 7:30 a.m. April 15 at the Newton Robinson Tec- in the hall of the We-Gwill Women's Institute.

TWGHS invites the public to experience Canadian history in an inspiring and creative way.

“Adam is an award-winning storyteller with the ability to engage, entertain and inform his audience about lesser-known but important events in Canadian history. We are thrilled to have a Governor's Award winner speak to us in our small community hall,” said TWGHS President Mark Burchell.

The topic of Bunch's presentation is the Toronto Circus Excitement of 1855.

“The Toronto Circus riot was one of the strangest things I've ever come across: a circus riot caused by a fight between clowns and firemen at the Victoria Prison,” Bunch said. “It's very surprising and interesting, but also teaches a lot about how Toronto worked back then. That's my favorite kind of story: a quirky anecdote about a particular person or event that's interesting in its own right, but also illuminates the larger historical forces at play in our history.”

Bunch teaches at George Brown College. He is also an author Toronto Book of the Dead and Toronto's Book of Lovethe owner Canada documentary series and creator Toronto History Week newsletter, the Toronto Quirky History Festival and the Toronto Dream Project.

His representation of history takes many creative forms. For example, he works with a small group to create Canada documentary series.

“Basically, we're all co-creators: Kyle Cucco, Ashley Brooke and myself,” he said. “We all come up with story ideas and write scripts together, (and) travel across the country to film episodes. But they are the people who do almost all of the post-production themselves. They are incredibly talented directors, animators and editors.”

When presenting stories, he tries to show his interest and enthusiasm.

“If I find something particularly interesting or weird or funny or unexpected, I hope other people will find it too,” he said. “We're often taught history as dry lists of dates and events, but I've been lucky enough to have history teachers who focus on telling history, and I try to do the same.”

She said winning the 2023 Governor General's History Award was encouraging — “on the one hand, it's a huge boost and a vote of confidence — it's great to know that my work is being noticed and that people are enjoying what I do, and the list of previous winners shows such incredible and inspiring work. full of historians who made That's a lot to live up to. So I will try to learn and improve and do my best to be worthy of that vote of confidence.

Bunch is a busy man with many projects. When asked BradfordToday “It's a joy,” he said of taking the time to take the GO Transit train from Toronto to speak with the historical society.

“My favorite thing in the world is to share stories that I find interesting with other people, so it's a privilege to experience it directly and personally. It's great that there are so many local history organizations around the country—like the Tecumseth and West Gwillimbury Historical Society—that are doing such a great job of sharing the stories of their communities by organizing events like this that support and empower authors and other speakers. share their work.”

In keeping with this idea, TWGHS invited Abishan Nanthakumar, a Grade 11 student from Bradford District High School, to read his essay, “The Transformation and Modernization of Quebec.” He won first place in the November 2023 Simcoe County Historical Association (SCHA) Andrew Hunter Award competition. That's why on April 15, there will be two prize winners who represent Canadian history in their own way.

TWGHS meetings are held at Newton Robinson Tec-We-Gwill Women's Institute Hall, 4380 Route 10, Bradford West Gwillimbury at 7:30 p.m.

Meetings are free for members and $5 for guests. All welcome. No reservation required.

Membership is $35 for families and $20 for individuals.

Further information is available by contacting Mark Burchell (email protected) or 705-458-8964.

More about Nanthakumar and the SCHA award can be found here.

Rosalyn Egan is a freelance journalist, storyteller and playwright. She blogs at her website: rosiewrites.com.