Time capsule

Old City Hall's centennial time capsule is a clear plexi-glass container 91 cm x 30 cm (3 feet x 1 foot) so visitors can easily view the capsule's contents. Installed to mark Old City Hall's 100th anniversary on September 18, 1999, it will provide insight into the building's and city's past. The capsule contains a CD ROM of Toronto City Council's July 1999 meeting, the front page of the September 18, 1999, Toronto Star newspaper, a gavel from Mayor Mel Lastman's desk, the proclamation commemorating the anniversary, a TTC transfer, a gavel from the provincial courts and a coin collection. Located on the main floor of Old City Hall it will stand the test of time, as the original time capsule has.

According to architect Edward James Lennox's original notes, he too made provision for a time capsule. On November 21, 1891, Edward Clarke, a member of the Ontario legislature and Mayor of Toronto, laid the stone that covered the copper box. The stone was placed in the southwest corner of the tower, in the third course of cut stone work, lying about three feet six inches above ground level and 30 feet above the foundation. The original capsule contains:

• a scroll on vellum describing the event and the names of the aldermen and civic officials of the day
• a scroll from Warden William A. Pagsley from the County of York, listing County council members and officials
• an 1891 city directory
• copies of the four morning and two evening newspapers, and
• a copy of Toronto of Old by Bishop Scadding.

Due to the placement of the original time capsule it is unlikely that the contents will be viewed in the near future. However, the second time capsule, unveiled at the official ceremonies, can be viewed by residents and visitors whenever they tour Old City Hall, Toronto's third City Hall.

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