Led by a university professor and PhD candidates, our tour is a walking history classroom based on a decade of archival research that uncovered the locations of more than 100 brothels in 1800s Toronto using court reports and archival maps. You’ll hear the hidden stories of these men and women, once lost to history, and learn about their worlds in this immersive cultural and historical experience. Gain insider knowledge of these newly discovered true histories of Old Toronto’s prostitution economy from 1837-1920. Learn about the women who worked here, how they survived their jobs, and the city’s booming brothel culture.

Artifacts, photographs, stories, and architectural secrets contribute to this memorable experience. This 90 minute tour honours these historical workers and the many stories our town founders hoped would stay hidden forever.