Penetanguishene's iconic angels to get a new home thanks to federal funding
After the First World War, a Jesuit priest named Gerald F Lahey donated two angel statues to celebrate 300 years since the arrival of French explorer Samuel de Champlain to Penetanguishene. Now, more than 100 years later, the 'angels of good intentions' have become a community staple.
"It just sort of represented a really friendly town that was bilingual, and when you got to those angels, you knew you were here in Penetanguishene," said curator and Penetanguishene Centennial Museum supervisor Nicole Jackson.
During the 1990s, the town decided to make moulds of the original statues, which were made of zinc. Those zinc statues remain at the Penetanguishene Centennial Museum.
New bronze replica statues are currently on display at Main Street and Thompsons Road.
"Everyone who is from here and comes here relates to the angels as kind of the entrance. It's the gateway. It's home. It's who we are," said Penetanguishene Mayor Doug Rawson,
"When you refer to someone who is a homebody, who never leaves town, instead of saying that person never leaves town, there was always the saying 'they've never been beyond the angels,'" said Sherry Desjardins, the Director of Recreation and Community Services for the Town of Penetanguishene.
Thanks to just over $272,913 in funding through the federal government's Building Communities through Arts and Heritage Program, the replica angels will be moving further down Main Street to a more accessible location where Penetanguishene borders Midland.
"Because the town has built up around the angels in their current location at Main Street and Thompsons Road -all the development around it- that sense of arrival has been lost," said Desjardins.
"The funding always helps get projects across the line, but this has been a grassroots effort that's been driven by town staff, community groups and our francophone community for many years," said Rawson.
The relocation project includes the creation of a small park and the installation of signage to commemorate the historical and cultural significance of the monuments.
"It historically meant the merging of the two cultures of English and French. Hence the names of the angels as Ontario and Quebec. So they've always been a lovely gateway to Penetanguishene," said resident Jon Main.
"Unfortunately, a lot of our community people don't even realize the importance of those two angels," lamented long-time resident Joe Maurice who has lived in Penetanguishene since 1953.
The new location will also feature a new town sign. Penetanguishene's mayor says it's great to be able to bring the importance of the statues back into focus.
"We can relate to the historical significance, and our current population and our youth get to appreciate what they're all about," said Rawson.
The official unveiling of the new home for the angels is set for September 25 on Franco-Ontarian Day. On that day, several community groups will be involved with everything from educating youth on the significance of the angels to translating signage to decorating the park with art and gardens.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Thieves use stolen forklift to rip cash machine out of U.K. bank
Police in the U.K. are searching for a group of suspects seen on video using a forklift to steal a cash machine from a bank.
'There was a lot of black smoke': Crane operator sounds alarm while trapped during highrise fire in Halifax
A tower crane operator alerted emergency crews after noticing a fire on a construction site in Halifax Tuesday morning.