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  • Metro Santa Claus Parade Button
  • Eaton Company Christmas Shopping Bag
  • Plush Toy Punkinhead Doll
  • Eaton's Box

Santa Comes To Town:

Pictures, Parades and Window Displays

This exhibit looks at the history of Santa in Toronto. It could go from the first Santa Claus Parade ever mounted by Eaton’s, to the dressing of Christmas-themed windows in department stores, to the ritual of taking photos with jolly St. Nick. In a secular consumerist society, is Santa a symbol that transcends our cultural differences?

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  • "Hey, Look At Me!":
    GREAT TORONTO FIRE VIDEO
    "Hey, Look At Me!":
    THE VISUAL GENERATION
  • "Would You Like Fries With That?":
    PHOTOGRAPH OF ROYAL YORK HOTEL
    "Would You Like Fries With That?":
    PART TIME JOBS
  • “Say Cheese!”:
    OLD CITY HALL VIDEO
    “Say Cheese!”:
    TORONTO’S VACATION SNAPSHOTS
  • A Child’s Take:
    JESUITS ESTATES CRISIS MEDAL
    A Child’s Take:
    WHAT MAKES THIS CITY SPECIAL?
  • A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste:
    PHOTOGRAPH OF REPLICA MURAL PAINTI...
    A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste:
    THE APPRENTICESHIP OF...
  • A Picture Says A Thousand Words:
    CANADIAN KODAK COMPANY LIMITED GRA...
    A Picture Says A Thousand Words:
    PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE NEWS
  • Accidental Archaeology:
    PEPSI-COLA BOTTLE
    Accidental Archaeology:
    TORONTO BENEATH
  • All In The Family:
    HEAD TAX CERTIFICATE OF HARVEY LOW...
    All In The Family:
    SETTLING TORONTO
  • Alternative Media:
    CHUM RADIO "SUPER STAR" ...
    Alternative Media:
    GONE MAINSTREAM
  • Ancient Highways:
    DUGOUT CANOE
    Ancient Highways:
    ANCESTRAL TRAVELS
  • Animating Toronto:
    SHIP'S FIGUREHEAD DEPICTING NIKE
    Animating Toronto:
    COMICS, CARTOONS AND MORE
  • Architectural Vision:
    CABINET MAKER'S BRACE
    Architectural Vision:
    DESIGNING YOUR CITY
  • Baby, It’s Cold Outside:
    HUMBER RIVER FLOODS VIDEO
    Baby, It’s Cold Outside:
    WINTER WONDERLAND
  • Banking on Toronto:
    PHOTOGRAPH OF BANK OF MONTREAL
    Banking on Toronto:
    OUR ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE
  • Brave New World:
    TORONTO CITY HALL OPENING COMMEMOR...
    Brave New World:
    TORONTO POST 1945
  • Bringing Up Baby:
    UNCLE BOBBY SOUVENIR PIN BACK BUTT...
    Bringing Up Baby:
    TELEVISION AS TEACHER
  • Cartography:
    PLAN OF HIGH PARK MAP
    Cartography:
    DIGITAL NAVIGATION
  • Celebrity:
    PROGRAM FOR CONCERT BY MAHALIA JAC...
    Celebrity:
    A DIVA IS BORN
  • Citius, Altius, Fortius:
    TORONTO PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD ATTEND...
    Citius, Altius, Fortius:
    GOLD STARS, BLUE RIBBONS, SILVER C...
  • Coffee Shops:
    C. HATCH & CO. PAINTED SIDE CH...
    Coffee Shops:
    SUCCESS IN THE CITY
  • Could You Be Mine?:
    PHOTOGRAPH OF JANE STREET AND FINC...
    Could You Be Mine?:
    WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOUR?
  • Country Meets the City:
    AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF UPPER ...
    Country Meets the City:
    FEEDING TORONTO
  • Deep Freeze:
    ICEBOAT COMET NAME PLATE
    Deep Freeze:
    THE FROZEN TORONTO
  • Delivering The Goods:
    EATON DELIVERY VAN
    Delivering The Goods:
    TRANSIT IN THE CITY
  • Discount Stores:
    FOLK ART CHAIR OF MEL LASTMAN
    Discount Stores:
    THE HUNT IS ON
  • Dream Jobs:
    TTC POSTER PROMOTING TORONTO STAR ...
    Dream Jobs:
    REINVENTING YOURSELF
  • Dress For Success:
    BENDAYAN DRESS
    Dress For Success:
    THE FABRIC OF OUR CITY
  • Drop The Needle:
    JEFFERSON AIRPLANE AND GRATEFUL DE...
    Drop The Needle:
    THE VINYL DAYS OF TORONTO
  • Essential Services:
    PHOTOGRAPH OF WEST TORONTO JUNCTIO...
    Essential Services:
    LOCALS IN ACTION
  • Everything I Needed To Know I Learned in Kindergarten:
    PHOTOGRAPH OF LINEMEN OF HYDRO POW...
    Everything I Needed To Know I Learned in Kindergarten:
    THE VALUE OF SOFT SKILLS
  • Find The Perfect Gift:
    WOLTZ BROTHERS JEWELLERS ADVERTISI...
    Find The Perfect Gift:
    GREAT FINDS IN TORONTO
  • For The Love of Art:
    PORTRAIT OF IRIS BURNSIDE
    For The Love of Art:
    PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES AND VIDEO AR...
  • From Beach Combers to Degrassi:
    10-INCH SCREEN TELEVISION WITH BAK...
    From Beach Combers to Degrassi:
    CANADIAN CULT CLASSICS
  • From Street Vendors to One of A Kind:
    COPPER BARREL HOOPS
    From Street Vendors to One of A Kind:
    TORONTO’S LOVE AFFAIR WITH ARTS AN...
  • From The LCBO To B.Y.O.B.:
    CANADA AND LIQUOR CONTROL PAMPHLET
    From The LCBO To B.Y.O.B.:
    THE POLITICS OF DRINKING
  • Getting From "No" to "Yes":
    PHOTOGRAPH OF MIDLAND AVE & A...
    Getting From "No" to "Yes":
    LOCALS WHO INSPIRE
  • Greenwashing:
    ALGONQUIN-STYLE BIRCH BARK CANOE
    Greenwashing:
    THE MEDIA'S MESSAGE
  • Hand Made:
    ART DECO ARCHITECTURAL PATTERN BLO...
    Hand Made:
    ONE OF A KIND
  • He Shoots, She Scores:
    1961 MAPLE LEAF GARDENS PROGRAMME
    He Shoots, She Scores:
    RECREATION IN TORONTO
  • High Art Societies:
    1950 PHOTOGRAPH OF NEGRO CHORAL SO...
    High Art Societies:
    TORONTO'S REFINED CULTURE
  • Home Brew:
    RIENHARDT AND COMPANY BREWERS ADVE...
    Home Brew:
    TORONTO WET AND DRY
  • Home Cooking:
    CAMEO LOUNGE DRINKS MENU
    Home Cooking:
    THE IMPORTANCE OF COMFORT FOOD
  • Home Delivery:
    S. PRICE AND SONS MILK TOKEN
    Home Delivery:
    CAN I GET THAT TO GO?
  • Home Movies:
    SMITH FAMILY MOVIES - SPADINA GARD...
    Home Movies:
    DOCUMENTING YOUR OWN HISTORY
  • I Love A Man in Uniform:
    RIFLE COMPANY MILITARY UNIFORM
    I Love A Man in Uniform:
    OUR CHANGING OPINIONS OF THE MILIT...
  • If You Don’t Know The Trees, You May Be Lost In The Forest:
    WOODPECKER EFFIGY PIPE BOWL
    If You Don’t Know The Trees, You May Be Lost In The Forest:
    IF YOU DON’T KNOW THE STORIES, YOU...
  • Inspiring Teachers:
    VICTORIAN CHILD'S ROCKING CHAIR
    Inspiring Teachers:
    FOR THE LOVE OF LEARNING
  • Investing In Our City:
    DEED OF SETTLEMENT, ROBERT BALDWI...
    Investing In Our City:
    PURCHASING PROPERTY IN TORONTO
  • Island Girl:
    QUEEN'S WHARF LIGHTHOUSE PAINTING
    Island Girl:
    STAYCATIONS
  • Keepsakes:
    VICTORIAN SILVER BABY RATTLE
    Keepsakes:
    WHAT HAVE YOU KEPT FROM CHILDHOOD?
  • Labels:
    PAPER SHOPPING BAG
    Labels:
    YOU'RE IT
  • Lake Views:
    THE CHAMPION SCULLER'S RETURN FROM...
    Lake Views:
    TORONTO’S WATER WAYS
  • Landmarks In Toronto:
    1989 SKYDOME OPENING GALA CELEBRAT...
    Landmarks In Toronto:
    MUST SEES
  • Lasting Impressions:
    PHOTOGRAPH OF BANK OF COMMERCE AND...
    Lasting Impressions:
    PHOTOGRAPHING OUR CITYSCAPE
  • Let’s Go To the Ex!:
    INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION ASSOCIATION ...
    Let’s Go To the Ex!:
    SENSORY OVERLOAD
  • Making the Catch:
    PHOTOGRAPH OF BATHERS AND CARS IN ...
    Making the Catch:
    HOW NEIGHBOURHOODS HOOK US
  • Medicine in Toronto:
    PASTEURIZED MILK BOTTLE, HOSPITAL ...
    Medicine in Toronto:
    AN APPLE A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AW...
  • Men and Women of War: Remembering Our Fallen
    BEAVER'S 204TH SHAM BATTLE IN HIGH...
    Men and Women of War: Remembering Our Fallen
    REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN
  • Migrating Music:
    MANDOLIN
    Migrating Music:
    TORONTO TUNES IN
  • North, East and West:
    DON VALLEY TORONTO VIADUCT CONSTRU...
    North, East and West:
    TORONTO’S EXPANDING CITY
  • Nature or Nurture:
    BEADED DRESS TRAIN
    Nature or Nurture:
    IS YOUR PROFESSION IN YOUR BLOOD?
  • Our Bright Future:
    THIRTY-SEVEN WELFARE ORGANISATIONS...
    Our Bright Future:
    TORONTO’S YOUTH GENERATION AND VOL...
  • Parks, Playgrounds and Pinwheels:
    IMMIGRATION IDENTIFICATION CARD
    Parks, Playgrounds and Pinwheels:
    A CHILD’S VIEW OF TORONTO
  • ParticipACTION:
    SYLLABUS OF PHYSICAL EXERCISES FOR...
    ParticipACTION:
    TORONTO ON THE MOVE
  • Peace and Love North of the Border?:
    FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERI...
    Peace and Love North of the Border?:
    TORONTO’S TAKE ON PROTEST
  • Rebels:
    LOUIS RIEL LETTER, 1885
    Rebels:
    WITH A CAUSE
  • Recovery:
    SENECA EFFIGY COMB
    Recovery:
    STRANGER IN YOUR HOMELAND
  • Returning Home:
    DUNSMORE PIPE
    Returning Home:
    FIRST PEOPLE OF TORONTO
  • Road Trips:
    PHOTOGRAPH OF DON MILLS ROAD OPPOS...
    Road Trips:
    STORIES FROM THE ROAD
  • Rough Waters:
    SAVE ISLAND HOMES BUTTON
    Rough Waters:
    TORONTO'S ROCKY RELATIONSHIP WITH ...
  • Row, Row, Row your Boat:
    TYPICAL LEARNERS FLIGHT OVER TORON...
    Row, Row, Row your Boat:
    BOATING IN TORONTO HARBOUR
  • Santa Comes To Town:
    METRO SANTA CLAUS PARADE BUTTON
    Santa Comes To Town:
    PICTURES, PARADES AND WINDOW DISPL...
  • Scents of Place:
    DABQAAD, SOMALI INCENSE BURNER
    Scents of Place:
    TORONTO'S MELTING POT
  • Seeing Red:
    MAY DAY SOUVENIR CAP
    Seeing Red:
    TORONTO'S FAR LEFT
  • Sense And Sensibility:
    COFFEE POT
    Sense And Sensibility:
    THE COMFORTS OF HOME
  • Settling In and Moving Up :
    PHOTOGRAPH OF WESTON ROAD AND LAWR...
    Settling In and Moving Up :
    DREAMS OF ADVANCEMENT
  • Signing Off:
    LEE LUNG SAI ASSOCIATION LOAN AGRE...
    Signing Off:
    PUTTING IT IN WRITING
  • Silver Cross Mothers:
    INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF ALLIED MOTH...
    Silver Cross Mothers:
    PUBLIC MOURNING, PRIVATE GRIEF
  • Solitary Moments:
    HOLY BIBLE
    Solitary Moments:
    OUR CITY’S LOVE OF READING
  • Something Old, Something New:
    BANARAS SAREE
    Something Old, Something New:
    SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING...
  • Spectacles:
    1962 ST. MICHAEL'S COLLEGE HOCKEY ...
    Spectacles:
    TORONTO'S ARMCHAIR ATHLETES
  • Stitch In Time:
    ARPILLERA, EXILE AND SOLIDARITY
    Stitch In Time:
    FINDING YOUR VOICE
  • Strength in Numbers!:
    PRAYER RUG
    Strength in Numbers!:
    CONNECTING THROUGH COMMUNITY
  • Creativity:
    BLACK BALLET SLIPPERS
    Creativity:
    MAKING OPPORTUNITIES AT EVERY STAG...
  • The Don:
    A VIEW OF TODMORDEN MILLS WATERCOL...
    The Don:
    RIVER, ROADWAY, ROAD RAGE
  • The Dual Home:
    AVRO AIRCRAFT UNVEILING PROGRAMME
    The Dual Home:
    TRAVELING TO AND FROM
  • The King and I:
    BRONZE SCONCES
    The King and I:
    ROYALTY AMONG US
  • The Rules Of The Game:
    1992 BLUE JAYS WORLD SERIES SOUVEN...
    The Rules Of The Game:
    IT COMES WITH INSTRUCTIONS
  • The Unvarnished Truth:
    CELLO
    The Unvarnished Truth:
    THE SOUNDS OF (OLD) TORONTO
  • The View From Here:
    BOER WAR PRESENTATION BINOCULARS
    The View From Here:
    OUR P.O.V.
  • Tires, Horns and Helmets:
    GREAT COMBINATION MCCREADY AND DUN...
    Tires, Horns and Helmets:
    ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUTES
  • Toronto’s Changing Skyline:
    ARCHITECTURAL BAS-RELIEF TERRACOTT...
    Toronto’s Changing Skyline:
    WHAT WOULD E.J. THINK?
  • Translating Culture:
    TORONTO GENERAL HOSPITAL TRAINING ...
    Translating Culture:
    THE MULTILINGUAL CITY
  • Treasure Chests:
    REBELLION OF 1837 PRISONER'S BOX
    Treasure Chests:
    THINGS WE VALUE
  • Uniforms:
    HIGHLAND DRESS
    Uniforms:
    CULTURAL DESIGNS
  • We’re Off to See The Wizard:
    EATON AUDITORIUM FOLDING CHAIR
    We’re Off to See The Wizard:
    TORONTO ON STAGE
  • Weird Science:
    DAVID DUNLOP OBSERVATORY SOUVENIR ...
    Weird Science:
    POPULAR EDUTAINMENT
  • What is Toronto Worth?:
    COPY BOOK OF DEEDS, INDIAN TREATIE...
    What is Toronto Worth?:
    THE COST OF HISTORY
  • What's In A Name:
    WILLIAM JARVIS' QUEEN'S RANGERS UN...
    What's In A Name:
    PLACES AND SPACES
  • What's On The Menu:
    LUNCH MENU FROM THE S.S. NORONIC
    What's On The Menu:
    CHOICE