Annex landmark, Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study's McCarthy house opens its doors

May 27, 2011

An Annex landmark, built by a distinguished Canadian, the Honourable Leighton Goldie McCarthy will open its doors this weekend: one of six University of Toronto buildings to participate in the City of Toronto's Doors Open event.

On May 28, visitors can take in McCarthy House, a gift to U of T in 1953 from the late Leighton G. McCarthy. The gracious and large Georgian-style mansion at 45 Walmer Road in 1932 was the McCarthy family home until Leighton G. McCarthy's death in 1952. It is now the home of the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study and The Laboratory School, part of the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto and a treasured landmark in the University and local communities.

“The Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study is the family home of Leighton Goldie McCarthy, the first Canadian ambassador to the United States,” said Professor Janette Pelletier, director of the institute. Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study. “The gift of his family home to the university provided an academic home for the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study which has been a landmark in supporting children’s development and education for 85 years at the University of Toronto.

Doors Open is in its 11th year. This is a free event that gives the public access they would not normally have to buildings of architectural, historic, cultural and social significance. Taking part for the first time at U of T are: McLuhan Coach House Institute, the iSchool and Leighton G. McCarthy House on the St. George campus, and the Instructional Centre at U of T Scarborough.