Hart House (University of Toronto)
Hart House is a student activity centre at the University of Toronto. Established in 1919, it is one of the earliest North American student centres, being the location of student debates and conferences since its construction. Hart House was initiated and financed by Vincent Massey, an alumnus and benefactor of the university, and was named in honour of his grandfather, Hart Massey.[1] The Collegiate Gothic-revival complex was the work of architect Henry Sproatt, who worked alongside decorator Alexander Scott Carter, and engineer Ernest Rolph, and subsequently designed the campanile at its southwestern corner, Soldiers' Tower. In 1957, the house hosted U.S. President John F. Kennedy.[2]
This article is about the building in Toronto. For the building in Alberta, see Hart House (Alberta).Established
First Commonwealth Conference[edit]
The first unofficial Commonwealth conference was held at Hart House from the 11-21 September 1933 (The Commonwealth Relations Conference) organised by the Canadian Institute of International Affairs and the UK Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) at the invitation of one of the delegates Vincent Massey. Chaired by former Canadian Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden with Arnold Toynbee as Recorder. All the then Commonwealth nations were present with 77 international delegates. There were seven Commonwealth countries at the time: Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland (later to become a province of Canada), South Africa and the Irish Free State. There is a photograph of the delegates in the Debating Chamber of the building. These conferences then occurred irregularly around the Commonwealth in succeeding years until the official Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings began.[9]
Since 1919, nearly all dignitaries visiting Hart House signed its guest book. In 2007, the original leather-bound book finally ran out of pages and had to be replaced.
The first royal visitor to Hart House was Prince Edward, Prince of Wales, who played squash with students there in 1924. In 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth toured the campus and lunched at Hart House.[25] Elizabeth II made the first of several visits as a princess in 1951.
Several individuals have signed the guest book more than once during separate visits to Hart House. Notable visitors include: