Bata Shoe Museum | Toronto, Canada - Toronto’s Bata Shoe Museum is Unique

Hundreds of fascinating shoes from famous feet around the world on display

In a city like Toronto, packed as it is with museums, The Bata Shoe Museum is unique. For one thing, it’s all about shoes. For another, the specially designed building is in the form of a huge shoe box with the lid laid across the top. Finally, it’s a non-funded, privately-owned family museum, the personal project of Mrs. Sonja Bata. Although the name is synonymous with the giant shoe empire, there’s less that a half dozen Bata shoes in the entire collection.

Just for fun, Sonja Bata started collecting shoes years ago as she traveled world-wide with her husband on business. The fun turned into a hobby and then grew into a huge collection that filled several warehouses.

An enormous part of that collection is now housed at the corner of Bloor and St. George Streets just a block from the world class Royal Ontario Museum and kitty corner to the University of Toronto campus. St. George Street was home to many of Upper Canada’s elite, including Sir Timothy Eaton, of department store fame.

According to Mrs. Bata, shoes are the person. “Shoes are such a personal artifact” she says. “ They tell about the owner’s social status, habits, culture and religion. That’s what makes them special.” She continues, “Shoes, more than any other personal item, reflect the living habits, the work and the customs of the people who wore them.”

Viewing the footwear of the past in this four floor facility, we span the centuries, and are treated to glimpses of history by looking at what people wore on their feet. The oldest in the Bata collection is Egyptian, the newest, as recent as yesterday’s headlines. For example, a pair of Napoleon’s socks, displayed along with Madonna’s stage performance shoes and the late Princess Diana’s rich burgundy dress shoes. In another display is Queen Victoria’s ballroom slipper alongside the ceremonial shoe of Pope Leo the III, Terry Fox’s shoe and those of Olympic medalist Harry Jerome.

Shoes from the Sahara’s heat, the cold of the north or the wet of the world’s coasts demonstrate the function of footwear as protection from the elements. Military footwear also enjoys its own section.

Rock stars, sports heroes, musicians, artists, movie and stage legends...they’re all there. Fashions through the years are represented by complete figure fashions of the day, all with the appropriate shoes.

Not forgotten is shoemaking, one of the world’s oldest crafts, with displays of tools very similar to those in use today.

School tours are popular for both fun and historical research. Kids of all ages have fun in the theme areas of interest to them ... including Cinderella.

The gift shop is stocked with shoe-themed items, and is a source of interest to the avid show collector.

For an interesting and unusual peek into the world of shoes, plan this one-of-kind adventure. Take an hour or all day, you’ll enjoy it. The nearest TTC underground station is on the Bloor line at St. George. Leave the station by the west exit and you’re just a block away.

If you go

The Bata Shoe Museum is a centre of knowledge about the role of footwear in the social and cultural life of humanity. It’s also an award-winning building, designed by Raymond Moriyama, housing more than 10,000 shoes from all walks of life.

The Bata Shoe Museum is constantly working on new exhibitions ranging from celebrity shoes to historical footwear. In addition, the museum hosts a variety of events such as Steppin Out Thursdays, Musicians in Ordinary and more. Please visit the website for featured exhibitions and events.

Location 327 Bloor Street West, Toronto (at the southwest corner of Bloor and St. George Streets) Steps from St. George subway station (exit onto St. George Street; walk south to Bloor Street).

Hours Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10 am – 5 p.m. Thursday: 10 am – 8 p.m. Sunday: 12 noon – 5 p.m. (During June, July and August, the Museum is also open on Mondays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) Allow 1.5 hours to visit.

Admission Adults: $8 Students (with ID) and Seniors: $6 Children (5 – 17 years inclusive): $4 (Children under 5 years of age are free.) Family Pass 1 (1 adult and up to 4 children under 18): $12 Family Pass 2 (2 adults and up to 4 children under 18): $20 Members of the Bata Shoe Museum: free Admission is free every Thursday evening between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. * Different policies and pricing will be in effect during March Break.

Group Tours Guided group tours are available by reservation at (416) 979-7799 x226.

For More Information Please visit or call (416) 979-7799. To be added to the mailing list, please e-mail rosmarie.stergiou@batashoemuseum.ca.

327 Bloor Street West, Toronto ON Canada, M5S 1W7 Tel 416.979.7799 Fax.979.0078 www.batashoemuseum.ca

Author: Vic Foster