As you stroll through downtown Midland, you’ll quickly notice something extraordinary—our buildings tell stories. Literally! Midland is home to one of Ontario’s most impressive collections of outdoor murals, transforming ordinary downtown walls into an immersive open-air art gallery that celebrates our rich history, cultural heritage, and natural surroundings.
A Painted History of Midland
What began in 1990 by the merchants of the Downtown Midland Business Improvement Association has blossomed into a defining feature of our town’s identity. Today, more than 40 large-scale murals adorn buildings throughout downtown, creating a walkable timeline of Midland’s evolution from Indigenous settlement to bustling port to modern waterfront community.
These aren’t your typical street art or graffiti—these are meticulously researched, professionally executed historical paintings that serve as both stunning visual displays and educational tools.
Created by talented artists including Fred Lenz, John Hood, and Willi Pflüger, each mural represents countless hours of artistic labor and historical consultation. Fred Lenz created the majority of the murals, and his love for animals is evident as many of his works feature dogs or cats.
North America’s Largest Historic Outdoor Mural
We’ve got something truly remarkable to brag about. The “Huron Native and Jesuit Priest at Sainte-Marie” mural measures an impressive 80 feet by 250 feet, making it the largest outdoor historic mural in North America!
Located at our beautiful waterfront on Georgian Bay, this masterpiece depicts a Jesuit Priest and a Huron Native gazing from a hilltop over the Wye Valley and into the nearby village of Sainte-Marie, as it would have appeared in 1640.
Must-See Murals: Highlights of the Collection
While every mural deserves attention, several stand out as visitor favorites:
Maritime Heritage
- “S.S. Lemoyne” – This mural depicts the ship built by the Midland Shipbuilding Company in 1926. Measuring 663 feet long, 70 feet wide, and 29 feet deep, it was the largest bulk carrier on the Great Lakes until the 1950s and held cargo records for coal, ore, and grain until its final voyage in 1968.
- “James Playfair Shipyard” – Features James Playfair, a successful lumberman who turned to shipping in 1886. In 1915, his Midland Shipbuilding Company started building freighters like those seen in this mural.
- “Great Lakes Cruises” – Showcases two ships that belonged to the Detroit-based Georgian Bay Lines, which transported passengers from cities to quiet, picturesque waters.
Historical Scenes
- “View of Midland Harbour” – Based on a photograph taken by J.W. Bald in the early 1900s, this mural reveals how central the harbor was to residents’ lives. Due to its location at the southern end of Georgian Bay, Midland was once predicted to become the “Chicago of the North.”
- “Winter at the Harbour” – Our first mural featuring a winter scene depicts Midland Harbour in the 1920s and 30s, showing workhorses breaking ice so ships could come closer to shore.
- “The Playfair Preston Company” – Two companion murals show both the exterior and interior of this general store and wholesale business that operated from 1895 into the early 1950s.
Natural Environment
- “Return of the Trumpeter Swans” – A celebration of the return of this nearly extinct native species that has been reintroduced at the Wye Marsh National Wildlife Area. A trumpeter swan sculpture with a 25-foot wingspan can also be found at the town dock.
- “The Wye Marsh” – Showcases the wide variety of birds and other wildlife found at the Wye Marsh, with Martyrs’ Shrine visible in the background.
- “Fishing in Midland Harbour” – A charming scene showing a boy fishing while his dog looks onward, exemplifying Fred Lenz’s love for animals.
Cultural Heritage
- “Runners of the Woods” – Depicts fur traders working with the Huron people.
- “Rediscovery of Sainte-Marie” – Shows the excavation of the southwest bastion of the Huron settlement, based on an 1885 sketch by Father Felix Martin. This mural was painted by Fred Lenz’s son when he was just 14 years old.
- “A Day for Mary” – A reproduction of a Norman Rockwell oil painting, enhanced by a real wooden frame that helps the painting stand out.
Taking a Self-Guided Mural Tour
The murals are concentrated primarily in our downtown core, making them easily explorable on foot. Most visitors spend between one and two hours strolling the streets to view the major works, though art and history enthusiasts often dedicate half a day to explore the entire collection.
You’ll find the highest concentration along King Street and adjacent side streets, with notable murals also located around Bay Street, Dominion Avenue, Hugel Avenue, and near the waterfront. The relatively flat terrain makes for easy walking, with plenty of cafés and shops to rest in along the way.
For the full experience, pick up a mural guide map at the Midland Tourism Office (on King Street) or download the digital version from the town website. The numbered map will help you navigate efficiently to all 33+ murals throughout town.
Beyond Downtown: Art Throughout Midland
While downtown houses most of our historic murals, Midland’s artistic footprint extends beyond the core. Outdoor art is also displayed in Little Lake Park, the Harbour, Midland Bay Landing, and in laneways throughout town. These areas feature a wide variety of custom commissioned art pieces that complement the historical murals of downtown.
Preserving Our Artistic Heritage
In 2007, many of the murals were restored to their original beauty, ensuring these outdoor masterpieces remain vibrant despite weathering the harsh elements of Georgian Bay winters and summer sun. The ongoing preservation efforts highlight Midland’s commitment to maintaining this unique cultural asset.
The Midland Mural Festival
The passion for public art in Midland continues to grow, as evidenced by our annual Midland Mural Festival. This celebration of arts and culture brings together residents and visitors to appreciate the many murals of Midland through guided and self-guided tours.
The festival features:
- Live music throughout the day with talented local musicians
- Local artists and artisan booths
- Food trucks
- Make-and-take activities
- Artistic opportunities for community involvement
At our inaugural Midland Mural Festival in 2024, festival-goers participated in the creation of TWO brand new community murals that were installed in downtown Midland, continuing our town’s tradition of community-engaged public art.
Mark your calendar for this year’s festival on September 27 from 10:00am-5:00pm, where you can join guided or self-guided tours of some of the 30+ outdoor murals while enjoying the festive atmosphere.
A Living Artistic Tradition
Unlike many public art installations that remain static after completion, Midland’s mural tradition continues to evolve. The town periodically commissions new works to commemorate significant anniversaries, celebrate community achievements, or highlight previously untold stories from our diverse history.
Whether you’re a history buff, art lover, or simply appreciate the transformation of ordinary spaces into extraordinary ones, Midland’s murals offer a uniquely engaging way to connect with our community’s past while enjoying the present-day charm of our downtown. Each painting tells a chapter of our story, and together, they create a visual narrative unlike anything else in Ontario.
Plan to spend time with these remarkable works during your visit to Midland—they’re not just paintings on walls, but windows into the soul of our community.
For more information about the murals or Midland and its many other exciting events and attractions, please visit www.midland.ca, email tourism@midland.ca or call 705-527-4050 or 1-855-527-4050 (toll free).