You have just one week left to visit our free exhibit, The Changing Face of Toronto. The exhibit is on display at the Toronto Reference Library's TD Gallery until Sunday, July 24.

The exhibit features portraits of everyday people from Toronto's past. The portraits on display were curated from the library's Special Collections, including the Toronto Star Photograph Archive, a collection of over a million images donated to the Toronto Public Library in 2014. 

Need more convincing? Here are five great reasons to stop by and see the exhibit before it closes:

1. The bizarre story of the "Great Stork Derby"

Most of the images on display originally appeared in print in the Toronto Star, Canada's largest daily newspaper. There are many reasons why so-called ordinary people might end up in a national newspaper and some stories are stranger than others. 

While in the grips of the Great Depression, Toronto families went baby crazy, competing in a bizarre contest that became known as the "Great Stork Derby". The contest was sparked by the death of eccentric Toronto lawyer Charles Vance Millar, who left a portion of his estate to the Toronto woman who produced the most children in the decade following his death. 

The Changing Face of Toronto features several portraits of winners and losers of the baby race. 

Carter family, Photographer unknown, October 26, 1936

The Carters had nine children during the 10-year period, but were not among the four winning families.

Mrs. Lucy Timleck, Photographer unknown, March 19, 1938

Lucky Timleck was one of four winners who received $125,000 each, an incredible sum in 1930s Toronto.

Mrs. X [Pauline Mae Clarke], Photographer unknown, August 26, 1936

Known as Mrs. X in print, Pauline Mae Clarke eventually received a consolation prize of $12,500. While she had 10 kids over the decade — the winning number – more than one was born outside of marriage, something that was decided to be against the rules of the competition. 

2. The hair…

The portraits on display span the 20th century, capturing the changing fashions and hairstyles of each era. Those looking for a new summer 'do, take note:  

Kip Jackson, Bob Olsen/Toronto Star, July 9, 1969

Natalia Pracepa, Ken Faught/Toronto Star, June 12, 1985

The above image originally ran with the headline: "Bank employee fights to keep her ‘punk’ hairdo" 

Unnamed Subject, Andrew Stawicki/Toronto Star, May 29, 1989

And if mustaches are your thing…

William Stark, Inspector of Detectives, Photographer unknown, ca. 1900

3. The pre-Photoshop touch-ups…

The images in the exhibit capture the subtle and not-so-subtle ways that press photographs were altered for print in the newspaper. In the early part of the 20th century, the backgrounds of portraits were often painted or cut-out entirely. 

Joe Wright Jr., Photographer unknown, ca. 1920

Before there was Photoshop, photographers and photo editors had to manually alter the images, increasing contrast and highlighting finer details. 

Mrs. Jack Guest, Photographer unknown, June 22, 1931

From the 1960s onward, backgrounds are rarely erased, but airbrushing is used to make the subject stand out in the newspaper. 

Virginia Martin (Miss Toronto), Douglas Glynn/Toronto Star, July 24, 1965

4. A few lively ladies at leisure…

Need a reminder to relax and have a good time this summer? The exhibit includes some great portraits of some spry ladies committed to having fun in their later years. 

Bowling at 90, Graham Bezant/Toronto Star, October 21, 1978

Ninety-year-old Gertrude Cooper bowls at the Avenue Road Bowlerama.

Adele Holford, Ron Bull/Toronto Star, July 9, 1986

Adele Holford gives a wink as she raises a glass of sherry to her 100^th birthday, celebrated with a crowd of friends and family.

4. Free guided tour and free admission! 

To hear more stories behind the photos, don't miss our very last guided tour of the exhibit, Tuesday, July 19 at 2 pm. 

Admission to the TD Gallery is always free. Stop by for a visit anytime during library hours.