About Anne Martin
Since the mid 1970s, producer/host, Anne Martin, has been bringing stories to life through the medium of television. She thrives on tracking down the unusual and her work has encompassed history, geology, heritage and a positive outlook on the world around us. Read more about Anne Martin.
Author Archives: On Top Of The World
Toronto #10: The Story of Government House
The story of Ontario’s Government House and the official residences of the Lt. Governor from Simcoe’s tent to the first solid structure burned by … Continue reading
Posted in Toronto 175
Tagged Americans, Bank of Upper Canada, Castle Frank, Chorley Park, Coal, Confederation, Depression, documentary, First Post Office, Fort York, Gas, Government House, history, John Graves Simcoe, Lt. Governor of Ontario, Queen’s Park, St. Lawrence Hall, Thompson Hall, Toronto, War of 1812
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Toronto #9: Epidemics & Discoveries
In 1834 – tragedy strikes. Toronto is invaded by cholera then typhus and has to take drastic measures to save the population. An archaeological … Continue reading
Posted in Toronto 175
Tagged archaeology, artifacts, Charles Best, Cholera, cholera sheds, documentary, Dr. George Grasett, England, Fever sheds, Fred Banting, Genealogy, history, Immigrant hospital, Insulin, Ireland Park, Irish famine, John Rolph, medical school, Medical Sciences, Reese Wharf, Russia, St. James Cathedral, St. James Cemetery, Toronto Hospital, typhus, University of Toronto, Upper Canada, Victoria College
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Toronto #8: The Blackburn Story – Slaves on the Run
The story of Lucie and Thornton Blackburn, slaves on the run from Kentucky, is brought to life with help from the Provincial Marine re-enactment … Continue reading
Toronto #7: The story of William Lyon Mackenzie
Elected to the Legislature in his later years and expelled from Parliament five times, Toronto’s First Mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie, was a prolific journalist, … Continue reading
Posted in Toronto 175
Tagged 1st Toronto Mayor, archaeology, bylaws, Don Mills, Eastwood & Skinner, fire, George Brown, history, John Graves Simcoe, King Edward Hotel, Little York, Mackenzie House, Montgomery’s Tavern, Necropolis, Parliament, Patriots, Peter Matthews, police, printing, rebel, Samuel Lount, The Colonial Advocate, Todmorden, Toronto, William Lyon Mackenzie
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1812 – Part 14: Discovery Harbour and Penetanguishene
Even though the Treaty of Ghent had been signed at the conclusion of the War of 1812, the British were still concerned that … Continue reading
Posted in 1812 and all that
Tagged Admiralty Longboat, Americans, British, British Naval Base, Canada, Discovery Harbour, documentary, Drummond Island, French, Fur Traders, Genealogy, history, Insect Fleet, James Keating, John Graves Simcoe, Metis, Natives, Ontario, Penetanguishene Museum and Archives, Provincial Marine, Rev George Hallan, Rush-Baggot Agreement, St. James on the Lines, Surveyor Henry Bayfield, Upper Great Lakes, voyageurs, War of 1812
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Guyana – Land of Many Waters
Despite its bustling capital, colonial architecture, and historic slave plantations, this small English-speaking country on the north coast of South America still has that … Continue reading
Posted in International Features
Tagged adventure, African slaves, Amazon River, Amerindian, colonial architecture, cricket, crocodiles, Dutch forts, Essequibo River, Fort Island, Georgetown, Guyana, jaguars, Kaieteur Falls, Kamuni River, nature, plantations, rainforest, Savannahs, St. George’s Cathedral, Timberhead resort, tourism
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1812: Part 13 – The Final Days of War at Fort Erie
For six weeks in the late summer of 1814 Fort Erie has the unenviable distinction of becoming Canada’s bloodiest battlefield.
Posted in 1812 and all that
Tagged American, battlefield, black powder, British, Buffalo, Canada, Chippawa, First Nations, Fort Erie, Hudson's Bay Company, Light Infantry, militia, Niagara, nurses, Ontario, Surgeons, traders, War of 1812, wives
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1812 – Part 12: The Siege of Fort Erie
Re-enactors portray the wives, nurses, surgeons, soldiers, suttlers, natives and officers who participated in the Siege of Fort Erie and tell some of the … Continue reading
Posted in 1812 and all that
Tagged American, battlefield, British, Buffalo, Canada, Chippawa, First Nations, Fort Erie, Hudson's Bay Company, light infrantry, militia, Niagara, Ontario, traders, War of 1812, wives, women
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Hong Kong – The Green Scene
In our quest for the hidden and serene side of Hong Kong we hike along magnificent and rugged coastal trails, explore mudflats and marshes, … Continue reading
Posted in International Features
Tagged birdwatching, Chinese bbq, Chinese White Dolphins, eco-system, hiking, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Park, intertidal mudflats, MacLehose Trail, Mai Po, marshes, mud skippers, mudflats, National Park, New Territories, Pink Dolphins, Sai Kung Geopark, Tai Chi, World Wildlife Fund
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EdgeWalk — An extreme experience
Without a doubt this feature of Rick Mercer and Jan Arden doing the EdgeWalk together at the CN Tower in Toronto is one of … Continue reading