Museum History

Born in 1917 in Toronto, George Gardiner graduated from the University of Toronto and the Harvard Business School. After working on New York’s Wall Street and in the iron-munitions industry, he returned to Toronto in 1946 to start his own stock-brokerage firm. He rose steadily to become a strong presence in Canadian business, chairing several Toronto-based firms and, in 1962-64, the Toronto Stock Exchange. He also contributed to the establishment of York University’s prestigious school of business.

George Gardiner began collecting ceramics in 1976, initially to decorate his home. He collected in specific areas of ceramic excellence in great depth including: Ancient American ceramics, Italian Renaissance pottery, English pottery of the 17th century and 18th century European porcelain. He was joined in this passion by his wife, Helen, a native of Kirkland Lake, Ontario, who had studied at York University. In 1984, they co-founded the Gardiner Museum. The Gardiners’ hope, Helen later wrote, was that the Museum “would contribute in a meaningful way to the understanding and appreciation of ceramic art worldwide.”

George Gardiner chaired the Museum’s Board until 1994. Following his death in 1997, Helen continued to support our community as a major philanthropist. She served as honorary chair of the capital campaign for the Museum’s expansion, and remained active with the Museum until her death in 2008.

In recognition of their contributions, the Gardiners were both admitted to the Order of Canada.