November 20, 2024
A journey of innovation and transformation
A world of possibility – Celebrating 20 years of research innovation and global impact.
A world of possibility – Celebrating all alumni success, from first jobs to Paralympians.
Holland Bloorview is celebrating 125 years of care and service to children and youth with disabilities and developmental differences. This celebration will honour the rich history and the incredible people that make up our legacy. Everything that we have worked towards for the last 125 years, our advancements, accomplishments and learnings, demonstrate how we have progressed to where we are today – an organization committed to transformative care and an inclusive world. The Holland Bloorview 125 celebrations provide us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the past, present and future. It is also an opportunity to reconnect with former staff, students, volunteers, clients and their families who have made their mark on our organization and the lives of children, youth and families.
Click the button to hear an audio version of the panel.
Click the button to hear an audio version of the panel.
As we mark 125 years, we reaffirm our commitment to the most meaningful and healthy futures for children, youth and families.
Our history
Our history reflects 125 years of service to children, youth and families with disabilities and immense growth and transformation. Since our establishment in 1899, the hospital has adapted to a number of location and name changes and medical and technological advancements. Today we are Canada’s largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital, with an embedded research institute, fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.
Navigate through the timeline below for a snapshot of our history from 1899 to present day.
1899
Recognizing the need to provide a home for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities, a group of 22 women meet in Toronto to discuss the creation of a Home for incurable Children.
1907
The children and staff move to a larger site that can accommodate 25 children at 152 Bloor Street East.
1959
In response to public pressure and to adapt a more inclusive title, the Home for Incurable Children changes its name to Bloorview Hospital, Home and School.
1962
The Ontario Crippled Children’s Centre opened as a separate facility at 350 Rumsey road, designed to care for children with disabilities.
1964
Bloorview Hospital, Home and School officially changes its name to Bloorview Children's Hospital.
1974
Bloorview Children’s Hospital moves to their new custom-built facility on 25 Buchan Court.
1975
A fully accessible school with 10 classrooms, named Bloorview School, opens as an attachment on the new facility and begins accepting students.
1982
Bloorview Children’s Hospital Foundation is established.
1984
Spiral Garden, an integrated summer arts program for hospital and community children is established.
1985
Ontario Crippled Children’s Centre on Rumsey Road changes its name to Hugh MacMillan Medical Centre to honour its first assistant medical director.
1990
OCCC undergoes another name change to Hugh MacMillan Rehabilitation Centre to reflect its focus on rehab for patients.
1996
Bloorview Children’s Hospital and Hugh MacMillan Rehabilitation Centre amalgamated at one site to become Bloorview MacMillan Centre.
2001
Bloorview MacMillan Centre renames and becomes Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Centre.
2002
Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital becomes a teaching hospital fully affiliated with University of Toronto.
2004
With funding from the Bloorview Children's Hospital Foundation, the Bloorview Research Institute is established, which formalizes and integrates research at Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Centre.
2006
A new hospital site opens at 150 Kilgour – a six-storey, $101 million, state-of-the-art facility. At this time, the hospital is officially renamed Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.
2009
The Teaching and Learning Institute officially launches at Holland Bloorview.
2010
Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital renamed to become Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, honouring the $26.2 million from Bill and Susanne Holland.
2023
Holland Bloorview celebrates the completion of its historic Bloorview Research Institute (BRI) expansion with the unveiling of its newly constructed, 11,000 square foot research tower.
Land acknowledgement
As we celebrate our hospital’s 125th anniversary, Holland Bloorview acknowledges the sacred land on which our organization is located, land that has been occupied by Indigenous peoples for over 15,000 years. This land, Mother Earth, our Earth Mother, is the territory of the Huron-Wendat First Nation, the Seneca as part of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Mississaugas of the Credit River and the Mississauga of Scugog Island First Nation. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work, learn and provide care for the many children of Turtle Island, including those from First Nations, Métis and Inuit on this land. Holland Bloorview is committed to walking alongside Indigenous peoples on a healing path to truth and reconciliation based on listening, learning, collaboration and deep respect.
Our impact
As we approach 125 years of service on December 16, 2024, we want to celebrate Holland Bloorview’s major areas of impact. We’re dedicating each month to a specific impact area and diving into the past, sharing the present and looking ahead to future aspirations and goals. Below, we’ve included an overview of what to expect in the coming months.
Check back for more details as we launch new stories each month.
As we approach 125 years of service on December 16, 2024, we want to celebrate Holland Bloorview’s major areas of impact. We’re dedicating each month to a specific impact area and diving into the past, sharing the present and looking ahead to future aspirations and goals. Below, we’ve included an overview of what to expect in the coming months.
Check back for more details as we launch new stories each month.
December
The past, the present & the future
The unveiling of our time capsule contents, to be opened in 75 years.
Our art and photo exhibition presents our history through artifacts and images, installed at the hospital and online. On December 16th, 2023 we invite you to visit an archival display case featuring select memorabilia from our past. Items include a wheelchair from the early 1900s, the first annual report and more!
The display case is located on the main floor of the hospital, next to the Grocery Foundation Resource Centre.
In January 2024, we launched the first of 12 panels as part of a large photo-history exhibit.
Every month, we release a new panel focused on one area of impact, featuring images and insight into our history related to each theme. Join us as we travel back in time and move through the many chapters of our evolution.
The exhibit is located on the main floor, in the corridor across from the pool.
Click the button to hear an audio version of the panel.
Our art and photo exhibition presents our history through artifacts and images, installed at the hospital and online. On December 16th, 2023 we invite you to visit an archival display case featuring select memorabilia from our past. Items include a wheelchair from the early 1900s, the first annual report and more!
The display case is located on the main floor of the hospital, next to the Grocery Foundation Resource Centre.
*include image of display for reference
In January 2024, the first of 12 panels will launch as part of a large photo-history exhibit.
Every month, we’ll release a new panel focused on one area of impact, featuring images and insight into our history related to each theme. Join us as we travel back in time and move through the many chapters of our evolution.
The exhibit will be located on the main floor, in the corridor across from the pool.
Events
Join us in person and be part of our celebrations throughout the year! This calendar will be revised as details of each event become available. Follow us on social media or keep checking back for updates!
Events
Join us as we celebrate 125 years of innovation and transformation, honoring our rich history and the incredible people who have shaped our legacy!
Click here for more details
Events
Join us in person and be part of our celebrations throughout the year! This calendar will be revised as details of each event become available. Follow us on social media or keep checking back for updates!
Events
Join us as we celebrate 125 years of innovation and transformation, honoring our rich history and the incredible people who have shaped our legacy!
Click here for more details
May
Spiral Garden gathering
Welcome spring with this outdoor gathering featuring special speakers, visits from past alumni, food, entertainment and more! Details to follow.
December
Time capsule
Cap off the year and Holland Bloorview’s official 125th anniversary as we bury a time capsule. Details to follow.
Click the button to hear an audio version of the panel.
Click the button to hear an audio version of the panel.
Submit your story
Do you have a special memory connected to Holland Bloorview? Whether you’re a past or present client or staff member, a Holland Bloorview parent or family member, a volunteer, a student, a donor or a health care partner, we want to hear from you!
At the end of the year, we’ll collect all memories and stories and compile them into a hard-copy book available for purchase to spotlight the people and experiences that make up our legacy and the heart of our story. We look forward to reading and sharing your unique memories!
Submit your story
Do you have a special memory connected to Holland Bloorview? Whether you’re a past or present client or staff member, a Holland Bloorview parent or family member, a volunteer, a student, a donor or a health care partner, we want to hear from you!
At the end of the year, we’ll collect all memories and stories and compile them into a hard-copy book available for purchase to spotlight the people and experiences that make up our legacy and the heart of our story. We look forward to reading and sharing your unique memories!
Media coverage
Holland Bloorview kicked-off its 125 anniversary celebrations by taking staff, students, volunteers and clients and families on a journey of “rehabilitation reimagined.” CBC News Toronto, CBC Metro Morning, Global News Toronto and CTV News Toronto visited the hospital for a look at some artifacts from our past as well as a conversation with Emily Chan, a former inpatient turned Holland Bloorview social worker and Jorge Santos, the nurse who cared for her nearly 30 years ago.
Holland Bloorview staff members Will Goessaert and Elizabeth Dunphy met at the hospital just before the pandemic, fell in love and were married at the Enoch Turner schoolhouse on May 4. In a truly full-circle moment, the couple returned to the hospital on May 10 dressed in their wedding attire to re-create some aspects of their “I do” moment. CP24.com was there to capture the heartwarming moment that Will and Elizabeth are celebrating during Holland Bloorview’s milestone 125th anniversary.
City News Toronto shines a bright spotlight on 40 years of ‘magic’ at Spiral Garden with interviews from Shannon Crossman, program coordinator and artist, as well as from some of the children and their families. Watch: A “magical” summer camp at Holland Bloorview for kids of all abilities (citynews.ca). Share your memories of Spiral Garden here
Get in touch
Questions on how to get involved, upcoming events or portal submissions?
For all 125-related inquiries, please email 125@hollandbloorview.ca.
Follow us on social media and help us spread the word!
Get in touch
Questions on how to get involved, upcoming events or portal submissions?
For all 125-related inquiries, please email 125@hollandbloorview.ca.
Follow us on social media and help us spread the word!
Get in touch
Questions on how to get involved, upcoming events or portal submissions?
For all 125-related inquiries, please email 125@hollandbloorview.ca.
Follow us on social media and help us spread the word!