# @toronto_archives on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DNf03uTsyWG
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/33999109-toronto-archives-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/ddac6506b5.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-08-18T13:01:34.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** City of Toronto Archives (@toronto_archives) — https://gondola.cc/toronto_archives

## Caption

The Princes’ Gates, the monumental eastern entrance to the Canadian National Exhibition, opened on August 30, 1927. Built to mark the 60th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, they were designed by Toronto architectural firm Chapman and Oxley who were also responsible for another Beaux-Arts building on the grounds, Liberty Grand. 

The gates were named for Prince Edward and Prince George, the royal brothers who visited the CNE in 1927 and officially opened the new structure. Earlier that August, the Princes were responsible for the official opening of the new Union Station. 

Adorning the top of the central arch are figures designed by sculptor Charles McKechnie, whose work can be seen around Exhibition Place grounds including the lions which guard Liberty Grand. The dynamic central Winged Victory holds a maple leaf and looks symbolically towards the future, surrounded by figures representing progress, industry, agriculture, arts and science.

1. Prince of Wales Gate, Exhibition, (Executive Department), May 1928, TTC Fonds 16, Series 71, Item 5795.

2. CNE, new eastern entrance [Princes' Gates] under construction, July 1927, Fonds 1266, Item 10940.

3. Eastern entrance to Canadian National Exhibition - elevations, Chapman and Oxley, Architects, 1927, Fonds 200, Series 724, Item 398.

4. CNE, Warrior's Parade, from above, 1928, Fonds 1266, Item 14478.

5. Prince of Wales opens the Princes' Gates, CNE, 1927, Fonds 1244, Item 1018A. 

6. CNE, swim, start of 21-mile swim, August 31, 1927 Fonds 1266, Item 1141. 

7. CNE, Princes' Gates at night, August 1927, Fonds 1266, Item 13190.

8. Cyclists lined up for race, CNE, between 1920 and 1940. Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 5728.

9. CNE, [consolation] swim, going up stretch, September 1928, Fonds 1266, Item 14773.

10. Lakeshore Park looking northwest to Princes' Gates, C.N.E, October 1933, Fonds 1231, Item 950. 

#TOhistory #TorontoArchives #CNE #LetsGoToTheEx

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## Tags

torontoarchives, cne, letsgototheex, tohistory

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