About Us
We are Toronto's
City Museum
Museum of Toronto is Toronto’s city museum, connecting Torontonians to the city and to each other. Through exhibitions, public programs, and digital storytelling, we explore the many histories of Toronto, from untold and rarely told stories to the people, places, and ideas shaping the city today.
Our
Mission
We inspire curiosity, foster connection, and build a collective sense of belonging by creatively curating the rich, layered, and constantly evolving stories of the people who call Toronto home.
In a time when cities can feel increasingly fragmented, Museum of Toronto creates opportunities for people to better understand the city, encounter different perspectives, and see themselves within Toronto’s shared story.
Our
Story
Museum of Toronto was created to fill a long-recognized gap in the city’s cultural landscape: a museum dedicated to Toronto itself.
In 2014, local philanthropist Diane Blake convened a workshop of heritage and cultural leaders to imagine a museum that would illuminate Toronto’s history, honour its diversity, and help shape its future. Later that year, the museum was incorporated by Diane Blake and Stephen J. R. Smith as a museum without walls, engaging Torontonians through pop-up exhibitions, talks, tours, and digital storytelling.
Since launching publicly in 2015, Museum of Toronto has grown through exhibitions, partnerships, and public engagement across the city, while continuing to work toward a permanent home for Toronto’s stories.
How We Share
Toronto's Stories
Museum of Toronto creates exhibitions, public programs, tours, school visits, and digital experiences that invite people to engage with Toronto in meaningful and unexpected ways.
Presented across multiple sites in the city and online, our work brings together history, contemporary perspectives, and public dialogue, creating accessible experiences that help people connect with Toronto’s past, present, and future.
Our Physical Exhibitions
Explore exhibitions that bring Toronto’s stories into shared public space through objects, ideas, and lived experience.
Our Pop-Up Exhibitions
Encounter Toronto in temporary exhibitions that meet people where they are across the city.
Our Digital Exhibitions
Discover stories, collections, and perspectives online through exhibitions designed to be accessed anywhere.
Our
Staff
Click on a staff member to learn more about them.
Jules Adamo
Executive Assistant
Davida Aronovitch
Director of Development
Corrinne Chong
Senior Curator of Programs and Exhibitions
Elizabeth D'Agostino
Manager of Operations
Bria Dietrich
Associate Curator, Learning & Exhibitions
Rachel Hilton
Director of Marketing & Operations
Davin Henson
Director of Digital Programs
Alonso Melgar
Fundraising & Events Assistant
Heidi Reitmaier
CEO
Aditi Sharma
Marketing Manager
Simon Termine
Assistant Curator, Civic Engagement & Digital Programs
Sarah Tumaliuan
Associate Curator, Public Programs & Learning
Ethelle White
Assistant Curator, Exhibitions
Jules Adamo
Executive Assistant
Jules is a historian and arts professional from Corso Italia experienced in supporting nonprofits in Canada and the UK. Before joining Museum of Toronto, they were the second Canadian to achieve an MA of Queer History from Goldsmiths University of London. There they helped launch the Islington’s Pride public heritage project. Combining professional rigor and dynamic lived experience, Jules strives to support initiatives that engage people with history and bring communities together. They have worked with NOTCHES, the world’s leading history of sexuality blog, as its Production Manager, as well as with Queer Toronto Literary Magazine, where they sit on the Board of Directors. Jules has also been involved with: Friends of Ruby, the ArQuives, and A.H. Wilkens.
Favourite TO You Don’t Know Story: The Forgotten Toronto Hotel That Protected Queer Women & Chinese Men.
In the mid-1900s, the Continental Hotel became an unlikely refuge for lesbians and Chinese men, two groups marginalized by homophobia and racist immigration laws. The hotel offered safety, allowing communities to survive and thrive side by side amidst societal ostracization. Canadian queer history is often overshadowed by our southern neighbours, just as lesbian history is often eclipsed by gay men’s. Places like the Continental Hotel should be commemorated, especially when intersectional spaces matter now more than ever. That these unlikely groups formed such a close bond proves human connection can transcend prejudice and create resilience in the face of exclusion. I’d love to see more places like the Continental Hotel bring us together as Torontonians.
Davida Aronovitch
Director of Development
Davida Aronovitch has worked in history and heritage for more than 20 years. Before joining Museum of Toronto, she worked as the Director of Development at Historica Canada. In addition to her fundraising work, she was also a writer and producer for the Heritage Minutes from 2012-2021, where she oversaw the series reboot, adding diverse stories and growing the reach of the Minutes to more than eight million views annually. While at Historica Canada, Davida also served as Managing Editor of The Canadian Encyclopedia, for which she led the relaunch in 2013, growing the readership to more than 13 million users annually. Davida serves on the Board of Directors of The Friends of Fort York.
Favourite TO You Don’t Know Story: The lost subway station.
I pass over it on my daily commute, and I never knew what lay beneath the surface. This city has endless layers.
Corrinne Chong
Senior Curator of Programs and Exhibitions
Corrinne Chong, PhD, is an art historian, curator, and educator. Prior to joining Museum of Toronto, she held curatorial appointments at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. Her work focuses on the dialogue between the visual arts and music in nineteenth-century Europe, with particular attention to the intersections of art history and opera scenography. Beyond her scholarly research, Corrinne is a champion of public history and accessibility. In her current role, she creates engaging opportunities for local partners, students, and visitors to connect meaningfully with Museum of Toronto through exhibitions and community-driven programming that celebrate the city’s multiplicity of stories.
Alongside her museum career, she has taught middle school for over a decade, reflecting her longstanding commitment to art education and interdisciplinary pedagogy
Favourite TO You Don’t Know Story: The Candy Bar Strike.
As a self-proclaimed chocolate sommelier, sometimes disruptor, and supporter of youth activism, my favourite Toronto story hands-down is the Candy Bar Strike of 1947, when kids stood up for their right to affordable chocolate. Marching along Bloor Street and rallying at Christie Pits, they channelled their outrage over soaring prices into organized civic action. The assertion of these young voices in a public space provoked press allegations of communist ties, which ultimately shut down the protest, leaving a bittersweet yet inspiring chapter in Toronto’s history.
Elizabeth D’Agostino
Manager of Operations
With more than 20 years of experience in arts management and operations within the non-profit arts, culture, and heritage sector, Elizabeth has developed strong expertise in arts management, operational efficiency, strategic planning and human resources.
Elizabeth has a proven record of successfully managing facilities and implementing administrative procedures that facilitate the delivery of engaging and innovative projects centered on creativity and storytelling. She is passionate about promoting inclusion and equity within the arts, culture, and heritage community, and is dedicated to supporting non-profit organizations. Throughout her career, she has adapted to the evolving needs of the industry, contributing to the success of non-profit organizations in the arts, culture, and heritage sectors.
Favourite TO You Don’t Know Story: The Coded Tiles of Little Portugal.
These tiles serve as a connection to the past through the strength of community. They allow individuals to hold onto their cultural identity and lineage through visual storytelling and hidden messages. For children, they provide a sense of comfort and safety. These tiles are familiar plaques found in front of houses owned by Portuguese families, not only in Toronto but also beyond the city. They act as significant markers, continuing to tell stories and preserve heritage.
Bria Dietrich
Associate Curator, Learning & Exhibitions
Bria Dietrich is a curator, archivist, and researcher dedicated to exploring the ways in which art and history shape and sustain communities. She holds a Master’s in Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Toronto Metropolitan University and has worked with both public and private collections in Canada and the United States, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the archives of photographer Sally Mann. Through her work, she brings stories of the past into conversation with the present, creating spaces where Toronto’s many communities can see their experiences reflected and valued.
Favourite TO You Don’t Know Story: The NBA Started Here.
Toronto Huskies & the First NBA Game is one of my favourites because it highlights how an unassuming moment in Toronto’s past—the NBA’s first game at the iconic Maple Leaf Gardens—reveals the city’s long, quiet love of basketball. I love how it traces the building’s many lives and connects that legacy to today, when Toronto proudly stands as home to both Canada’s only NBA and WNBA teams.
Rachel Hilton
Director of Marketing & Operations
Rachel parlayed her passion for travel, design and the arts into a profession. For over 30 years she has worked for some of Canada’s leading cultural organizations, holding leadership roles at the Stratford Festival, the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto, Canadian Stage and Culture Days. She oversaw marketing, visitor experience and operations at polar tourism company, Quark Expeditions, and ran her own consultancy business for many years. Rachel joined the Museum of Toronto team in 2024.
Favourite TO You Don’t Know Story: The Coded Tiles of Little Portugal.
I owned a home in Little Portugal for 20 years, and though I saw these tiles on many of my neighbours’ homes, I had no idea they had hidden meanings!
Davin Henson
Director of Digital Programs
With over 20 years of experience in digital production and storytelling, Davin brings a collaborative and creative approach to his role as Director of Digital Programs at the Museum of Toronto. Since joining the team in 2022, he has helped lead the evolution of the museum’s digital integration—working across teams and with external partners to develop a diverse range of stories, both online and within exhibitions, that reflect the multitude of Toronto’s histories. Drawing from a background in visual media, documentary, and cultural production, Davin is dedicated to using digital storytelling to connect audiences with the city’s layered and ever-changing identity.
Favourite TO You Don’t Know Story: Bob Marley & Harriet Tubman Centre.
I love how wonderfully serendipitous this story is. The sense of discovery behind it aligns with so many of the stories we share at the Museum of Toronto. It also captures how deeply rooted Toronto’s Jamaican and West Indian communities had already become at the time, and how Marley would have been celebrated within those circles long before he became widely known across the city.
Alonso Melgar
Fundraising & Events Assistant
A dedicated professional with a background in cinema and non-profit operations, Alonso brings a wealth of experience in cultivating stakeholder relationships, community engagement, and public programming. Originally from Calgary, Alonso got his start in development after co-founding a community-driven repertoire film organization called The Fifth Reel. They moved to Toronto in 2019 and began working in operations centered in the arts at the Luminato Festival, Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival & Cinema, as well as Heritage Toronto. Across their career, Alonso has engaged fully in their passion for fostering person-to-person connections and creating engaging experiences for diverse audiences.
Favourite TO You Don’t Know Story: The Coded Tiles of Little Portugal.
I lived in Little Portugal for years and fell madly in love with the neighbourhood. I would always see these tiles around my block and thought they were beautiful. It’s interesting to hear about their history and practical usefulness for the community. I also love how it speaks to the immigrant experience, coming to a new country and bringing a piece of your old home with you.
Heidi Reitmaier
CEO
Heidi has spent over twenty years working with museums and cultural organizations across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, including the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto, the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Tate Gallery, and the Vancouver Art Gallery. Her work focuses on making museums inclusive, connected to civic life, and meaningful to contemporary audiences. Since joining the Museum of Toronto in 2020, she has led the organization’s growth with a vision to create a museum that tells Toronto’s stories through its people, places, and public life.
Favourite TO You Don’t Know Story: When the Mayor Tried to Overthrow the Government.
It’s wild to think that a full-on rebellion once unfolded right here in Toronto — led by a former mayor trying to overthrow the government. The Montgomery Tavern became the centre of a bloody battle, ending in loss, executions, and exile. It’s a reminder that even in a city known for its calm, our history has its moments of chaos and courage.
Aditi Sharma
Marketing Manager
With nearly a decade of experience in marketing, communications, and storytelling, Aditi brings a strategic and creative approach to amplifying Toronto’s stories. Before joining the Museum of Toronto in 2025, she worked across publishing, tech, events, and advertising, leading campaigns that connected communities and elevated cultural engagement. At the Museum, she oversees marketing initiatives that bridge digital innovation and audience insight, helping more Torontonians discover, share, and celebrate the city’s evolving identity.
Favourite TO You Don’t Know Story: The Mercer Reformatory for Women.
It’s haunting to think about how many women were imprisoned simply for defying societal expectations, for being “unable to be improved or fixed.” It’s a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and how much those stories still matter today.
Simon Termine
Assistant Curator, Civic Engagements & Digital Programs
With a background in museum education, curation, and user experience design spanning ten years, Simon creates engaging, immersive experiences that celebrate local histories. Born and raised in Etobicoke, his career has included roles at Heritage Mississauga, the Gardiner Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto, Markham Museum, the Village at Black Creek, and Heritage Schoolhouse. At the Museum of Toronto, Simon combines his expertise in design and research to develop digital content and exhibitions shaped by visitor insight and community collaboration.
Favourite TO You Don’t Know Story: The Castle Frank.
Personally, I really enjoy it mainly for its overall absurdity. Everything about it – its “fake marble” columns made from tall pines, its naming after Lord Simcoe’s son who never visited, its abandonment, and how it tricked the American army during the War of 1812 – reads like a comedy skit.
Sarah Tumaliuan
Associate Curator, Public Programs & Learning
Sarah is driven by a curiosity for all things Toronto and an unshakeable belief that civic connection and cultural experiences contribute to thriving cities. At the museum she designs and manages numerous public programs and collaborations that reflect the city’s diversity and bring Toronto’s stories to life. Combining her education and experience in the fields of dance, performance, public health and community engagement, she brings an interdisciplinary lens to her work at Museum of Toronto, emphasizing social connection and fostering dynamic museum experiences and collaborations.
Favourite TO You Don’t Know Story: The former Twilight Zone.
The former Twilight Zone, highly revered among House Heads, dancers, music lovers and club goers, transformed Toronto’s garment district into a nightlife hub. I hear endless anecdotes of what this place meant for Toronto’s nightlife scene. It was more than a club—it was a sanctuary for expression and connection; a space that brought people together to reflect the culture of its time. Walk by today, and it looks ordinary, but those who experienced it remember it forever.
Ethelle White
Assistant Curator, Exhibitions
Ethelle has over a decade of experience working in museums, including The Village at Black Creek and the City of Toronto’s History Museums. She brings expertise in program development, curation, and visitor engagement to her role at the Museum of Toronto. A lifelong lover of history, Ethelle is passionate about its power to help us understand the world around us. At the Museum of Toronto, she focuses on making the city’s diverse histories accessible and meaningful to people from all backgrounds, helping build a more connected and informed community.
Favourite TO You Don’t Know Story: The former Montgomery’s Tavern.
It’s fascinating to me to compare the huge city that is Toronto today to its history as an essentially rural community, where rest stops and hotels were needed at points that are today considered part of downtown.
Our
Board
Click on a board member to learn more about them.
Shari Austin
Director
Shari Austin is a consultant providing strategic advice on corporate citizenship, philanthropy and social change initiatives to companies, foundations, individual and family philanthropists, as well as other investors in social and environmental change. Shari started her career as a lawyer in the financial services sector. From 1995 to 2015, she held a variety of executive roles with RBC such as Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and as the Executive Director of the RBC Foundation. There she demonstrated global responsibility for RBC’s corporate citizenship functions including philanthropy, environmental affairs, employee volunteerism and fundraising, and social finance. For the past decade, Shari has served on many charitable boards and has advised the federal government on matters pertaining to philanthropy and social impact initiatives. She has a passion for Canada, especially her home-base Toronto and birthplace Vancouver. She holds a BA (Hons) from the University of Toronto in political philosophy and Canadian Studies, a law degree (LLB) from the University of Ottawa, and an MA in International Management from McGill University.
Diane Blake
Chair of the Board
Diane Blake, founder and lead sponsor of Museum of Toronto, has been a proud Torontonian since 1986. Prior to becoming an archivist, she worked in information technology, and studied at University College in London and the University of Toronto.
Diane’s interests include volunteering at a local school, supporting the apprentices at the National Ballet and serving on the Board at the Walrus foundation.
Ian Bandeen
Founding Director
Ian Bandeen, a Founding Director of Museum of Toronto, is one of Canada’s leading capital markets experts. He co-founded the Canadian Securitization markets as well as the Canadian Securities Exchange, where he served as CEO until 2011.
Ian currently serves as Chairman Emeritus of the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO), as a Director and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Art of Time Ensemble, and as a member of the Finance Committee of the board of HotDocs. He is a long-standing trustee of the S.M. Blair Family Foundation and a proud member of Canada Company.
A member of the Ontario Bar, Ian holds two law degrees from McGill University in addition to an Honours BA in economics from Queen’s University.
Jesse Barké
Director
Jesse currently works in Investment Management and has previously worked in the financial engineering industry, and the non-profit sector.
Passionate about education, he is a long-term volunteer with the Loran Scholars Foundation and volunteers with other national organizations in their selection process for merit scholarships.
Jesse currently serves on the board of the Ranked Ballot Initiative of Toronto, a non-partisan, independent, grassroots campaigning organization dedicated to improving democracy in Toronto through the adoption of ranked ballots for municipal elections.
Anne Golden
Director
Dr. Golden served as President and CEO of The Conference Board of Canada, the country’s foremost independent not-for-profit applied research organization, from 2001 to 2012.
Previously, she was President of the United Way of Greater Toronto for 14 years. She earned national profile for her work as Chair of the Homelessness Action Task Force (1999), the Greater Toronto Area Task Force (1996), and more recently, the Premier of Ontario’s Transit Investment Strategy Advisory Panel (2013). Anne Golden is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Ontario. She has received eight honorary doctorates and numerous awards, with her favourite being named “One of the Eight Best People in Toronto” (Toronto Life ,1993). Anne is a proud Torontonian and has played an active role professionally and in citizen-led efforts to keep Toronto livable and successful. Her latest project is as co-editor of the upcoming publication, Saving Toronto (April 2017).
Beth Hanna
Secretary
Beth is excited to join the Museum of Toronto Board of Directors, where she sees a compelling alignment with her own focus on the interconnections of people, place and story, and to the ability of heritage and the arts to build bridges of understanding. With over forty years of leadership in heritage conservation, including her recent tenure as CEO of the Ontario Heritage Trust, Beth brings extensive knowledge of the culture, arts, and heritage sectors in Ontario and across Canada. Beth looks forward to the important discussions ahead about sharing and realizing the museum’s vision. A passionate advocate for Toronto’s diversity, she loves the city’s vibrant cultural expressions, from its diverse neighborhoods and restaurants to its rich array of theatre, dance, festivals, and exhibits.
In Memory of Adam Kahan,
Director 1947-2026
Museum of Toronto is profoundly saddened by the sudden loss of Adam Kahan, one of our founding Directors. Adam brought extraordinary experience, strategic insight, and generosity of spirit to Museum of Toronto’s Board of Directors. He cared deeply about the city and the role cultural institutions play in strengthening public life. We are grateful for his leadership and lasting contributions to our organization.
Adam Kahan was a consultant in the non-profit sector focused on strategic planning, branding, marketing and communications, resource development and board and staff training and development.
He retired in 2015 after 13 years as Vice President, Advancement of Ryerson University where he led the university rebranding, marketing and communications, alumni relations and fundraising realizing over $300 million. He was the former Chief Strategist of the Divon Academy and was a Senior Fellow of the Brookfield Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. He was also Senior Advisor of Public Inc. As Vice President of the Canadian Club, Toronto, he Chaired both the Marketing and Programming Committees. Proudest of his wife and daughter and son and their spouses and 5 grandsons.
Heather Lee
Director
Heather is honoured to join the board of Museum of Toronto at this exciting phase of the museum’s evolution and contribute to shaping its future growth. Heather has had an extensive career as an in-house lawyer in consumer banking and financial services, including roles at American Express and President’s Choice Financial, and her current position as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Fairstone Bank. A lifelong Torontonian, Heather cherishes the city’s cultural diversity and vibrant neighbourhoods, which have profoundly influenced her throughout her life. In addition to undergraduate degrees from McGill and Trent Universities, Heather has an LLB from Western University and an MBA from the University of Toronto.
Graham Ross
Director
Graham is Chief Client Officer of BLG LLP responsible for the development and implementation of the firm’s business growth, marketing and client programs. He has been in professional services business development for over 20 years.
Graham has an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University and completed a number of executive leadership programs.
Taslim Somani
Director
Taslim is principal of GivingStar, an independent consultancy that helps clients in the for-profit and non-profit sectors innovate and grow, while providing compelling customer experiences online.
With over 20 years in digital marketing and marketing strategy, and half that time dedicated to the non-profit sector, Taslim is energized by the power of digital media to connect, educate and inspire.
She is passionate about the City of Toronto, and as an also an almost-lifelong-Torontonian (she arrived as a toddler), she loves and appreciates experiencing the city’s rich and diverse cultural, artistic and natural spaces.
Our
Awards
Public History Award (2022)
For: Derailed: Black Railway Porters in Canada
Peggy Krtin Memorial Award, Excellence in Heritage (2017)
Help Shape
Toronto's Story
Toronto’s stories continue to evolve, and so does the museum that tells them.
Your support helps Museum of Toronto create exhibitions, public programs, and shared spaces where people can connect with the city and with one another. Whether you choose to donate, collaborate, or simply participate, you are helping shape how Toronto is remembered and understood.