description Todmorden Mills Overview
Todmorden Mills is a historic industrial complex and heritage site situated along the Don River in Toronto, Ontario. Established in the 1790s, it functioned as one of the region's earliest industrial centers, housing lumber, grist, and paper mills over its long history. The site preserves several original 19th-century buildings, including an 1825 paper mill, which were integral to the economic development of early York (Toronto). Today, it operates as a museum and arts center, offering insights into Toronto's milling and brewing past.
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Where is Todmorden Mills, and what river shaped its history?
Todmorden Mills is a historic industrial and heritage complex beside the Don River in Toronto, Ontario. Water power from the river supported lumber, flour, paper, brewing, and other early industries.
When did industry begin at Todmorden Mills?
Industrial activity began in the 1790s, with a grist mill at the site dating to around 1796. The early mills helped make the Don Valley one of the first industrial areas around Toronto.
Why is the Todmorden paper mill historically important?
The paper mill was the first in Upper Canada to produce machine-made paper. It supplied newsprint for early publications including William Lyon Mackenzie's Colonial Advocate. [City of Toronto](https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/museums/todmorden-mills/)
What can visitors see at Todmorden Mills today?
The site includes a heritage museum, the Papermill Theatre and Gallery, and a 9.2-hectare Wildflower Preserve. Todmorden Mills opened to the public as a heritage site in 1967 and currently advertises free admission.
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