Celebrating the Princes' Gates at the CNE: August 30: Snapshots in History

(Credit: Prince of Wales and group at the CNE, 1927 – Toronto Archives –

William James family fonds - Fonds 1244 – Item 1018A)





(Credit: C.N.E., Prince's Gate, Prince of Wales cutting ribbon, August 30, 1927

– Toronto Archives – Globe and Mail fonds - Fonds 1266, Item 11384)





(Credit: C.N.E., Prince's Gate, Prince George and Sam Harris talking, August 30, 1927

– Toronto Archives – Globe and Mail fonds - Fonds 1266, Item 11385)

On August 30 and beyond, take a moment to celebrate the Princes’ Gates (not the Princess Gates to which they have been sometimes erroneously referred) at Exhibition Place on the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) grounds. Originally constructed to celebrate Canada’s 60th anniversary of Confederation in 1927, the gates were originally supposed to be named “The Diamond Jubilee of Confederation Gates”.

In late 1926, the CNE hired architect Alfred H. Chapman to design a new eastern side entrance to the fair grounds. The gates featured a statue of the Winged Victory (similar to the Louvre’s Winged Victory of Samothrace) on top of a central Roman arch of a 91-metre long structure, including nine thin ionic columns on each side representing the then-nine Canadian provinces (prior to Newfoundland and Labrador joining Confederation in 1949). The structure was designed in a Beaux-Art style. Sculptor Charles D. McKenchie had the responsibility of sculpting all the figures on the Princes’ Gates. Two pairs of identical figures are on each side of the Winged Victory – one pair held cornucopias representing a fruitful harvest, while the other pair held beehives symbolizing prosperity and hard work. Additionally, the sculptures on the pylons also had symbolic significance – the female figure clasping onto a grain sheaf represented agriculture, while the male figure (with his left hand resting on a wheel and a set of drawings covering his knees) represented industry.

To celebrate their 50th anniversary in 1977, the Princes’ Gates were rededicated. In 1987, a badly damaged and weathered Winged Victory was replaced by a replica constructed of an advanced polymer resin. In 1994, poured concrete was used for restorative purposes to recast the other four statues on the main arch of the Princes’ Gates.

Princes’ Gates, Model (Credit: Pringle and Booth, 1926

– Toronto Reference Library, Baldwin Collection)

Why was the Princes’ Gates name adopted? The directors of the Canadian National Exhibition learned that Edward, Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom), and his brother, Prince George (a future Duke of Kent) were going to be visiting Toronto in 1927. Hence, the name was changed and both Princes were present at the official opening of the Princes’ Gates on Tuesday, August 30, 1927. The Prince of Wales used gold scissors to cut the purple ribbon to declare the Princes’ Gates officially open.

Princes’ Gates, looking west, 1952 (Credit: James Victor Salmon

– Toronto Reference Library, Baldwin Collection)

Consider the following titles for borrowing or examination from Toronto Public Library collections:

Books:

(Additional copies)

(Additional copies)

For additional images of the Princes’ Gates, please visit the CNE website. For further background information, please visit articles from CNEHeritage.com, Toronto Star, Toronto Sun, Tayloronhistory.com , and Torontoplaques.com .