Imagine two Canadian literary stars briefly sharing a life and a Toronto Island cottage. This is the Milton Acorn and Gwendolyn Macewen Plaque. It commemorates the poets Milton Acorn and Gwendolyn MacEwen.
The Milton Acorn and Gwendolyn Macewen Plaque marks a significant, albeit short, chapter in Canadian literary history. It’s located at 1 Lakeshore Avenue. The plaque was erected in 2015 by Heritage Toronto.
Milton Acorn, born in 1923, earned the nickname “The People’s Poet”. Gwendolyn MacEwen, born in 1941, was known for her visionary and mystical poetry. They married in February 1962. The couple moved into a cottage north of here on Second Street. They were drawn to the Island’s natural beauty.
Their marriage was brief. It ended in November 1962. MacEwen remained in Toronto and continued writing. Acorn traveled throughout Canada. He gained recognition for his poetry about nature, labor, and free speech.
Both poets achieved significant acclaim. MacEwen won a Governor General’s Award in 1969 and posthumously in 1987. Acorn received the “People’s Poet” medal in 1970. He also won a Governor General’s Award in 1975.
Acorn’s work often reflected his experiences. He served in the armed forces during World War II. A war wound led to a disability pension. He was also a member of the Labor-Progressive Party for a time.
MacEwen volunteered at the Island Public School library. She nurtured young Islanders’ interest in art and books. She even wrote a book sitting on the rocks at Ward’s Island beach.
The Bohemian Embassy was a regular haunt for them. It was a Toronto coffee house. It featured poetry recitals and folk music. This was a place where their creativity thrived.
Milton Acorn died in 1986. Gwendolyn MacEwen died in 1987. Despite their short time together, their impact on Canadian literature is lasting. The Milton Acorn and Gwendolyn Macewen Plaque serves as a reminder of their talent. It also reminds us of their connection to Toronto Island. It is a place where their story began. It is a place where their words continue to resonate.