To celebrate their 150th birthday, we’re revealing the newly added SickKids Hospital to the Little Toronto skyline.
From iconic landmarks to groundbreaking institutions, Little Canada sets out to bring our country’s most inspiring stories to life. In recognition of the incredible impact SickKids has had over the past 150 years, we’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone birthday by revealing their forever home in our Little Toronto skyline, making them the first hospital to officially become part of our miniature world.
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) has spent the last century and a half leading the way in paediatric care, research, and education, making a profound impact in Canada and beyond. By adding a miniature replica of SickKids to Little Canada, we hope to honour its rich history, celebrate countless groundbreaking achievements, and share their incredible stories with our visiting guests for years to come.
We’re also excited to be home to one of the 150 birthday balloon sculptures popping up across Toronto, Canada, and beyond. Each of these balloons represents an important moment in SickKids’ incredible journey – from pioneering medical discoveries to forging global partnerships and transforming paediatric care.
The celebration doesn’t end today – this new addition is just the beginning of our journey with SickKids, and we can’t wait to continue sharing their story in a BIG way through the power of storytelling within our little world. Join us at Little Canada to see SickKids like never before, and celebrate 150 years of innovation, impact, and inspiration.
The Story of SickKids
SickKids began as The Hospital for Sick Children in 1875 when Elizabeth McMaster and a group of Toronto women rented a house at 31 Avenue Street, outfitted it with six iron cots, and opened a hospital dedicated to treating children regardless of their financial situation. The need was urgent – almost half of recorded deaths in Toronto in the previous 50 years were children under 10. The hospital’s first patient, a young scalding victim named Maggie, was admitted on April 3, 1875. As Toronto grew, so did the hospital.
By 1892, under the leadership of John Ross Robertson, SickKids found its place in a larger, state-of-the-art facility on College Street with 320 beds. It moved to its current home at 555 University Ave in February of 1951, and within three years founded The SickKids Research Institute – the first of its kind and to this day, the largest child-based health research institute in Canada.
From its modest beginnings, SickKids has evolved into one of the world’s leading pediatric hospitals. It was named as Canada’s most research-intensive hospital in 2018 and remains a leader in new clinical and scientific advances. With a legacy of innovation, cutting-edge treatments, and groundbreaking research, SickKids has impacted millions of children and families in Toronto and beyond, continuing its mission to create a healthier future for kids everywhere.
To learn more about SickKids and this historic milestone, visit www.SickKids150.com