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A
step forward in time
Toronto's New City Hall |
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[City of Toronto Coat of Arms]
This capsule with the contents noted was placed in a foundation column,
Hall of Memory, City Hall, at a formal ceremony by His Worship Nathan
Phillips, Q.C., Mayor of Toronto. The ceremony was held during the
construction period on the uncompleted main floor of the City Hall
adjoining the Hall of Memory on Wednesday, November 7, 1962, at 2.30
in the afternoon.
Contents of Capsule
1. MUNICIPAL HANDBOOKS FOR 1960, 1961 AND 1962: These handbooks were
included so that future generations may obtain a picture of the areas
of Civic responsibility and undertakings together with the names of
the persons holding offices and positions who would be most closely
connected and concerned with them.
2. COINS OF THE YEARS 1833, 1844, 1899 AND 1962: Included are representative
coins for the years 1833 and 1844 in the form of halfpenny Bank tokens;
a full sequence of the coinage for the year 1899, comprising 1¢,
5¢, 10¢, 25¢ and 50¢; a full sequence of coins
for the year 1962, being identical to that for 1899 with the exception
of the addition of a silver dollar. There is no silver dollar for
the year 1899 as such coins did not come into existence until 1935.
The significance of these coins is to identify and be symbolic of
the four premises in which The Corporation of the City of Toronto
has been ensconced, and the date when those premises were brought
into physical being.
3. SYNOPSIS OF CITY HALL COMPETITION AND JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ARCHITECTURAL
INSTITUTE OF CANADA COMPETITION ISSUE:
These two pieces are included to provide an official and unofficial
insight into the rules, regulations, conduct and outcome of the International
Competition held to decide on the architect to be engaged to furnish
the design for the City Hall.
4. COAT OF ARMS FOR 1834 AND 1962: These reproductions will enable
future generations to observe the differences brought about in the
Coat of Arms of the City in 1962 as compared with the Arms of 1834.
The changes to be seen being the result of Council’s decision to revise
the Arms and secure registration of the revised version with the College
of Heralds in England in 1961.
5. NEWSPAPER FOR 1834: A photostatic reproduction of the March 7,
1834 edition of “The Patriot and Farmer’s Monitor”, a Toronto daily
newspaper, together with a microfilm copy provided by the Public Library
of the City of Toronto, will graphically portray to our descendants
first-hand information on the Social, Economic and Civic conditions
prevailing in the year of the birth of our great city.
6. NEWSPAPERS OF SEPTEMBER 26th – 27th 1958: Microfilm copies of the
three major newspapers existing in Toronto and supplied by them, provide
a varied and authentic reaction at the time of the announcement of
the winner of the City Hall competition. In addition they also show
the prevailing social and economic conditions in our land at that
time.
7. POSTAGE STAMPS FOR 1962: These stamps provided by the Postmaster
General for Canada for 1962 will show future citizens the designs
used and the craftsmanship of the designers and makers of this nationally
important commodity.
8. SOD TURNING CEREMONY PHOTOGRAPHS AND PROGRAMME AND PRE-DEMOLITION
AREA PHOTOGRAPH:
The photographs and programme of the Sod Turning Ceremony convey the
dignified atmosphere under which the actual physical construction
of the new City Hall received its official commencement. They also
show pictorially distinguished citizens participating in that historic
ceremony.
The photograph of the area involved in the site of the new City Hall
prior to demolition and clearing will enable comparison of the utilization
of this important and valuable downtown site.
9. MAP OF TORONTO 1962: This map, extant and official in the year
1962, will provide an authoritative source for comparison of the structure
and boundaries of the City in 1962 and those prevailing at the time
when this capsule in opened.
10. TORONTO’S 125th ANNIVERSARY BOOK: The inclusion of this book,
published in 1959, will forcefully, objectively and accurately depict
the Civic, Public and Commercial conditions prevailing at the happy
moment of celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Incorporation
of the City of Toronto.
11. CIVIC AWARD OF MERIT MEDAL: This unissued Award of Merit medal
is placed in the capsule to show those who open this capsule at a
future date the award given to those citizens who have made singularly
notable contributions to the civic well-being of the community and
in so doing have advanced the reputation and stature of the City.
The medal is in gold symbolically signifying the ultimate in regard
in which the Council and citizens of the City of Toronto behold the
recipients. The medal was provided by Henry Birks and Sons, Toronto
jewellers.
12. 1962 METROPOLITAN TORONTO BROCHURE: This brochure is included
to indicate the powers and responsibilities of the Metropolitan Council
which existed in 1962.
13. Colour reproduction of the Civic reception to Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh at City
Hall, June 29, 1959.
[civic seal]
{ signature of] W.M. Campbell
City Treasurer and Keeper of the Civic Seal.
Mayor.
[signature of] E.E. Norris
City Clerk.
[City of Toronto Archives RG5P, Box 15, File 7, 1962]
Return to A Step Forward in Time
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