Finding the Fallen: The Battle of York Remembered

An exhibit commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 opened recently at the Market Gallery. Curated by Richard Gerrard and the author, Finding the Fallen looks at how the Battle of York unfolded, its impact on the British, First Nations, Canadian, and American combatants, and the challenges of knowing its human toll. We honour the collective sacrifice made when Toronto was a battleground two centuries ago.

Finding the Fallen features rarely seen artifacts recovered archaeologically from the battlefield, maps produced by Andrew Stewart, a painting of the death of Captain Neal McNeale (newly acquired thanks to Ed Anderson), and first-person accounts of the battle. The stories of the fallen were researched by Janice Nickerson, Ken Joyce, Mark Ragan, and the late Robert Malcomson.

The exhibit’s centrepiece is a book of remembrance designed by Frank Moniz of Mondegro Inc. with a poem by Stacey LaForme. The book identifies 181 dead from the Battle of York and another 35 townsmen who died at other times and places while on military service during the war. The book can be explored at www.toronto.ca/1812.

Finding the Fallen is at the Market Gallery (South St. Lawrence Market, 95 Front Street East) until September 8, then moves to a permanent home in the soon-to-be-refreshed Brick Magazine at Fort York.

Wayne Reeves is Chief Curator, City of Toronto Museum Services.