World Congress of Business History - Toronto

It is customary at Canadian universities to begin conferences and meetings with a Land Acknowledgment, recognizing the historical and ongoing presence of Indigenous people and their stewardship of the land.
In the final episode of the WCBH-Toronto podcast, Louis is joined (once again!) by Steve Penfold to unpack the U of T Land Acknowledgment, which you will hear during the Congress. They discuss the history of the area by briefly unpacking the key words and phrases in U of T's acknowledgement so that Congress attendees will know something about what they are hearing. 
 
Music Credit: Kevin Macleod, "Dirt Rhodes" (Free Music Archive)

In this episode, Louis talks to Elio Colavito, a PhD student in History and Sexual Diversity Studies at the University of Toronto, about 'The Village' neighbourhood. They discuss the links between business and the formation of 'The Gay Village' (now often just called The Village) around Church St. and Wellesley St. in Toronto.  Topics include the importance of business in the making of queer neighbourhoods, policing and activism, and controversies about business in the Toronto Pride festival.

One of the optional events at the Congress is a tour of the 54th floor Executive Suite at the TD Towers. The suite, designed by the famed European architect Mies van de Rohe, is a unique place in the banking history of the city. Toronto Dominion is one of the largest banks in Canada and the sixth largest in North America by assets.
So, in this episode, Louis talks to Dr. Amy Korczynski, the Curator of Art and Heritage Collections at TD Group. They talk about the history of Toronto Dominion Bank, its scope and scale today, the art and heritage collection at the Bank, and the interesting features of curatorial work in a business setting.

In this episode, Louis talks to Professor Dimitry Anastakis, LR Wilson and RJ Currie Chair of Canadian Business History at U of T, about the history of the Rogers Centre, Toronto's domed stadium. Attending a Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre is one of the optional activities during the Congress.
They talk about baseball in Toronto, the origins of the Blue Jays, and the complicated history of the city's retractable-roof domed stadium. 
 
Music: Kevin Macleod, "Dirt Rhodes" (Free Music Archive). 

In this episode, Louis talks to Dr. Koby Song-Nichols, whose U of T PhD examined food history and North American Chinese migrant communities. They talk about the history of the Chinatown along Spadina Avenue (just west of the conference location and one of the sites on the Congress streetcar tour), the place of business in the making of the community, and recent community mobilization efforts in the context of urban change. They even discuss good restaurants along Spadina Avenue to check out!
 
Music Credit: Kevin Macleod, "Dirt Rhodes" (Free Music Archive)

In this episode, we look at the Bata Shoe Museum, an absolutely unique and truly fascinating institution located just on the edge of the University of Toronto campus. The Museum is one of the optional events during the Congress.
We talk to Elizabeth Semmelhack, Director and Senior Curator at the Museum. Topics include capitalism, labour, gender, the exhibits at the museum, and what shoes tell us about human history.
Oh, also that time when the Ontario Provincial Police brought a shoe mystery to the Museum ...
The Shoe Museum is a fascinating place. Don't miss it!
 
Music Credit: Kevin Macleod, "Dirt Rhodes" (Free Music Archive)
 

Welcome to World Congress of Business History Toronto Podcast!
In this first episode, we offer a brief history of the University of Toronto, where this year's Congress will take place. 
Aimed at Congress attendees, the World Congress of Business History Toronto Podcast will offer brief histories of key conference sites and background on key events. It is hosted by Louis Reed-Wood (PhD, History, University of Toronto, 2025). Regular episodes will drop weekly.
 
Ep 1 Intro and Outro Music: Kevin MacLeod, "Sheep May Safely Graze"