A Familiar Sculpture Returns to Guild Park

The monumental bronze sculpture, War Horse, a work by Canadian artist Emanuel Hahn a century ago, is back at Guild Park as a gift from the artist's estate.

The sculpture is a tribute to the horses used during World War I to move men and munitions across the muddy trenches and battlefields of Europe.

Hahn, a renowned Canadian artist and sculptor, brought dynamic realism to the figures he created - either human or animal - in two or three dimensions.

Also known as the "Horse's Head," Hahn's sculpture is said to capture the noble, yet powerful expression of this creature. The detailed work symbolizes the significant role that horses have played shaping history - in times of war and peace.

According to the City of Toronto records, the War Horse was originally loaned by Hahn's family to Rosa and Spencer Clark to display on their grounds, now Guild Park & Gardens. For decades, the bronze was a popular attraction to guests of the Clarks' original Guild Inn and the hundreds of thousands of people who have since visited the park.

Emanuel Hahn's monumental bronze sculpture, "War Horse", seen in 2006 at its original location in Guild Park.

In the 2000s, after City of Toronto officials adopted a policy to display only City-owned art pieces, the loaned War Horse was removed from Guild Park and returned to the Hahn family.

Good news came in 2024, when the estate of Emanuel Hahn offered to donate the bronze to the City. On a motion by local councillor, now Deputy Mayor, Paul Ainslie, City Council accepted the gift. Ten months later, on Oct. 17, 2025, the City of Toronto's Public Art department of Economic Development & Culture, had the sculpture reinstalled at Guild Park's south garden, near its previous location.

Mark your Calendars - War Horse Welcome Tour

Sunday November 8 starting at 1:30 pm at Guild Park's Sculptor's Cabin

On the Sunday before Remembrance Day, don't miss a special public tour about the park's military legacy. Included are

• details about the War Horse sculpture,

• its innovative creator, Emanuel Hahn, and

• stories about Guild Park's association with veterans, Vimy Ridge and two top secret projects that helped win the Second World War.

More details now available at https://www.facebook.com/events/1170320631677841 . Plenty of free parking on-site, look for the signs and flags.

The 90-minute tour is hosted by Friends of Guild Park. Free for members, $15 for others. To become a member, visit here

All proceeds go to bring more improvements and activities to Guild Park & Gardens.