By Joanne Doucette, local historian Scroll down through this post for a visual history of the TTC Car Barns at Connaught Avenue and Queen Street East. Commonly known as the Connaught Barns, they are officially the Russell Car Barns, probably named after Joseph Russell. The second fire sealed the deal, creating the Russell Division andContinue reading “The TTC’s Russell Car Barns and the TRC Car Barns that Burned Down not once, but twice and the TRC Car Barns that Sank into a Swamp”
Tag Archives: local history
The Difference Between a Local Historian and an Academic Historian
Local history is a very democratic kind of practice, drawing on community histories (e.g., in the local history collections of our branch libraries), family history, genealogy and oral history. The best local history relies on meticulous and careful use of original and secondary sources as well as ongoing discussion with professional historians. But local historians have limited resources. Not everyone has the money to get those letters behind the name. We do not have access to the records, the peer-review process, conferences and journals of the academic historian. We rely on sources and our works are published informally – on blogs, Facebook groups, etc. My peers are those who read my posts and blogs and respond. And I am very grateful to you. But I rely on sources and sources are not always right.
Leslieville Historical Society 