One of my favourite things to do in Toronto at the end of the summer, is the famous ‘Canadian National Exhibition’ aka the ‘CNE‘. I just love the history of this giant fair that has been going on since 1897, and the Art Deco & Mid Century Modern buildings on site are not to be missed. I even had my engagement photos taken there. It’s just great!

So for today’s post we are going to take a look at vintage images and ads featuring exhibits / displays that you would of been seen at the CNE between 1920s and 1960s.

Let’s take a look!

Note: All images are from the CNE Heritage website.

Vintage Photos of Exhibits & Displays Seen At The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)

Vegetable Exhibit, 1928. WOW what a collection of veggies!

1920s vintage photo of the Vegetable Exhibit, 1928 at the Toronto CNE.

“See Toronto Hydro Electric System’s Display in the Electrical Building”. 1929 Toronto Hydro Ad in the CNE programme.

1920s vintage ad: 1929 Toronto Hydro Ad In CNE Programme

CNE Automotive Show, 1929. What car would you buy?

1920s vintage photo of the Toronto CNE Automotive Show,1929. Lots of 1920s vehicles.

Poscard for the Nash Car Exhibit at the 1939 CNE.

1930s vintage Postcard for the Nash Car Exhibit @ The 1939 CNE.

The Goblin Electric Display at The Toronto CNE, 1937 featuring a woman dressed as a goblin.

The Goblin Electric Display at The Toronto CNE, 1937 featuring a woman dressed as a goblin

1930s vintage ad for Canadian General Electric Model Kitchen exhibit as seen in the 1935 CNE programme.

1930s vintage ad for Canadian General Electric Model Kitchen as seen in Toronto at the CNE in 1935

TTC (Toronto Transit Commision) Exhibit at the CNE Automotive Building, 1936.

1930s vintage photo of the TTC (Toronto Transit Commision) exhibit at the CNE Automotive Building, 1936.

Christie’s Biscuits Display at the 1936 CNE.

1930s vintage photo of the Christie's Biscuits Display @ The 1936 Toronto CNE

RCA Victor Display; ca. 1940.

1940s vintage photo of the RCA Victor Display; ca. 1940 at the Toronto CNE.

“See how Electricity gives CANADA’S ANSWER!” Toronto Hydro Ad in the CNE programme, 1941 featuring all the ways electricity is helping Canadian Women on the homefront.

1940s vintage ad for Toronto Hydro Ad In the CNE Programme, 1941 featuring an illustration of how electricity helps women on the homefront.

A 1940 cooking demonstration (which could qualify as an exhibit).

1940s vintage photo of a cooking demonstration in 1940 at the Toronto CNE

Bendix Washing Machine ad for their demonstration exhibit as seen in the CNE programme, 1947.

1940s vintage advertising: Bendix Washing Machine ad for their demonstration exhibit in the CNE (Canadian national Exhibition) Programme, 1947.

Televisions on display at the 1953 CNE.

Televisions On Display At The 1950 CNE featuring men in 1950s fashions and a woman in a 1950s dress and purse.

1950s vintage photo of the Chrysler Corporation display of an experimental car in 1954.

1950s vintage photo A Chrysler Corporation display of an experimental car in 1954 at the Toronto CNE

1955 photo of the Army Exhibit – Navy personnel posed with very stylish women in 1950s fashions.

1950s Vintage Photo: 1955 Photo of the Army Exhibit - Navy personnel posed with very stylish women in 1950s fashions and 1950s hairstyles at the Toronto CNE.

1959 Australia Exhibit featuring a woman holding a dog with a bagpiper.

1950s vintage photo of the 1959 Australia exhibit featuring an image of a woman in a 1950s dress holding a dog with a bagpiper

1959 – The Austria Exhibit featuring a collection of downhill skiis.

1950s vintage photo of the Austria exhibit showcasing downhill skiis at the Toronto CNE in 1959

One more from Austria in 1960. A dirndl is a must at this exhibit (I own 3!).

1960s vintage photo of a woman in a Dirndl at the Austria Exhibit at the Toronto CNE in 1960. She is surrounded by others in early 1960s fashions.

The Barbados T.C.A. exhibit in 1960 featuring all the places you can go and the fantastic purses you can buy (I love the purse our young woman is holding!).

1960s vintage photo of the The Barbados T.C.A. exhibit in 1960 featuring all the places you can go with the airline. The image features a TCA flight attendant and two young Black girls in pretty 1960s dresses and a fantastic 1960s straw purse.

“The New Lady Schick Consolette” (I own a very similar one!). 1960s Lady Schick hair dryer demo booth.

1960s vintage photo of a lady schick hair dryer demo at the Toronto CNE image features two women in 1960s fashions

“An invitation….Take home new ideas for a lovelier home from the Arborite Company Limited display-Booth B.6. in the “Better Living” Building.”

Arborite Ad in the CNE programme, 1962.

1960s vintage Mid-Century Home Decor ad: Arborite Ad in the CNE Programme, 1962.

Last photo…100 Jobs For Women Display in the 1960s.

1960s vintage photo of women in 1960s fashions at the 100 Jobs For Women Display @ The CNE ca. 1960s

Question time: Do you have a big exhibition / fair in your town? Do you like to attend? What are you favourite things to see / do & eat? Share any thoughts in the comments section below.

FURTHER READING:

Thanks for dropping by!

Liz

6 Comments on Exhibits & Displays Seen At The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) From The 1920s-1960s

  1. Pingback: 'Let’s Dance': The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) Dance Tent - The Vintage Inn

  2. Hi Liz … wondering if you can help me. I’m trying to track down the catalog from the CNE cat show in 1947 (and the one from the Sportsmen’s show). Any idea where I might be able to find it? I have a picture of a Russian Blue named Blueboy who is thought to have come from the UK and won at the show that year. I’m researching the history of the breed and would like to find more info about him … thanks for any suggestions on where to look.

    Reply

  3. “a woman dressed as a goblin.” — WHAAATT??? LOL. Imagine putting this on your job resume.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *