Is it possible to capture a city’s soul? Here at the Toronto Archives, that’s precisely what they aim to do. The Toronto Archives is the City of Toronto’s memory keeper. It safeguards documents from 1792 to the present day. These records tell the story of Toronto’s government. They also show the lives of its people.
The Toronto Archives isn’t just about official records. It also houses private collections. These collections come from individuals and groups. They offer a unique glimpse into Toronto’s past. Imagine holding a map of Toronto Harbour from 1792. That’s the oldest record in the Toronto Archives. Then picture a DVD of last month’s City Council meeting. The Toronto Archives keeps both the very old and the very new.
The Toronto Archives boasts over one million photographs of Toronto. Over 50,000 are available online. The oldest photos are from 1856-57. Armstrong, Beere and Hime took these early pictures. They are the earliest known photographs of Toronto. The Toronto Archives also holds the William James, Alexander Galbraith, and F. W. Micklethwaite collections. The Globe and Mail collection spans 1922-56. There are also over 100,000 photographs taken by city photographers.
The current Toronto Archives building opened in 1992. Zeidler Roberts designed it. They also designed the Toronto Eaton Centre. The Toronto Archives building is state-of-the-art. It has climate-controlled records storage. There is also a central atrium and exhibition area. A 60-seat lecture room and a Research Hall are here too.
Originally, the building held records for Metropolitan Toronto. After amalgamation in 1998, it housed documents from six other municipalities. Before that, each city hall kept its own archives.
The Toronto Archives is open to the public. You can visit Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. It is located at 255 Spadina Road. Upon arrival, you need to register. The Toronto Archives acquires, preserves, and makes records available. City staff and the general public use them. Holdings include council minutes and property tax records. You can also find police records and public health records here. Toronto Transit Commission records, building permits, and maps are also available.
The City of Toronto Archives fonds covers 1834-2009. It contains records from the City Clerk’s Office. This office manages legislative processes for Toronto City Council. The collection includes textual records and maps. There are also architectural drawings and photographs.
The Academy of Medicine, Toronto fonds covers 1907-2009. It reveals the medical profession’s internal concerns. It also shows how they educated the public about health issues.
The Toronto Transit Commission fonds covers 1920-2014. It shows the evolution of the TTC over almost a century. The Toronto Archives invites you to explore Toronto’s past. Discover the stories hidden within its walls. Experience the city’s history firsthand.