now in progress...

Celebrating the generosity and achievements of Edward Rogers Wood and Agnes Euphemia Wood

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They were remarkable Canadians whose contribution to the worlds of education, business and community have transformed countless lives over generations*. Many of Canada’s foremost institutions today owe their prominence, if not their founding, to the vision and generosity of “ER” and “Pheme” Wood.

From modest beginnings in central Ontario, they rose to become extraordinary benefactors of hope and achievement. Yet their story has largely been forgotten. In a moment in history when many are rediscovering Canada and its unique gifts to the world, our mission is to reclaim their memories from the mists of time so that others can be inspired by the values that guided their lives and the gifts they created.

Currently, we are conducting original research and gathering information from organizations whose evolution can be traced directly to the vision and energy of the Woods. We have also connected with living decedents as to how best to celebrate their ideals and accomplishments. Our focus is not just on what they achieved but why they did it and what in their core of values and beliefs allowed them to make their far-reacching contributions.

If you have any suggestions we would love to hear from you. Please contact us here.

“Wymilwood” (now Falconer Hall). Edward Rogers Wood and Agnes Euphemia Wood gifted the mansion at 84 Queen’s Park Crescent to Victoria University in 1925. Mr. and Mrs. Wood were generous champions of the University for their entire lives. The imprint of their generosity remains to this day.

Glendon Hall. The iconic Toronto mansion and more than 100 acres at Bayview and Lawrence Avenue were bequeathed to the University of Toronto upon Mrs. Wood’s death in 1950. It was later gifted to York University and became its foundational administrative centre in 1960. The arboreal conditions imposed by Mrs. Wood on the gift illustrate a unique sense of environmental prescience for that time. Generations continue to benefit from her generous vision.

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* We are grateful to John P. M. Court for his seminal contributions toward lifting the fog that has obscured the achievements of the Woods.

Remembering the Woods is a research-based social enterprise project dedicated to fostering the values and ideals that are the enduring legacy of Edward Rogers Wood and Agnes Euphemia Wood to Canada and the world.