Maple Leaf

August 2017 - Toronto ON

The Market Gallery occupies the second floor of the South St. Lawrence Market which is all that remains of Toronto’s original 19th-century Front Street City Hall council chamber, operating from 1845-1899. The historic site presents a variety of changing exhibits related to the art, culture and history of Toronto. 

Maple Leaf Forever: Toronto's Take on a National Symbol
This artifact-rich exhibition will explore how Torontonians have helped shape the maple leaf as Canada's leading national symbol over the past 150 years. From the Prince of Wales' visit to Toronto just prior to Confederation to the use of the maple leaf in commercial and industrial branding throughout the 20th century, Torontonians have forged close associations between the maple leaf as an icon and a source of identity. This exhibit is presented as part of TO Canada with Love, the City of Toronto's year-long program of celebrations, commemorations and exhibitions honouring Canada's 150th birthday.

Click here to see our photo of this floral arrangement in High Park.

The maple tree that inspired the song Maple Leaf Forever which I wrote about earlier this year.

The flag of Toronto was designed by Renato De Santis, a 21-year-old George Brown College student. It won in a 1974 competition held by the Old City of Toronto Flag Design Committee. After the city amalgamated in 1997, the new Toronto City Council looked for different designs from the public, but could not approve of any. De Santis suggested minor modifications to the original flag, which was adopted in October 1999, to create the current flag. The flag displays the twin towers of the Toronto City Hall on a blue background, with the red maple leaf of the flag of Canada at its base, representing the Council Chamber at the base of the towers. The shape of the space above and between the towers suggests the letter 'T', the city's initial.