A window into a century past was opened on the front lawn of Danforth Collegiate Institute, situated in Toronto, when a nearly 100-year-old time capsule was painstakingly extracted during a special ceremony. This artifact, representing a frozen moment from yesteryears, was originally concealed in the depths of a massive exterior stone on June 29, 1922. This piece of history silently narrates the tale of an institution that was then recognized as the Riverdale Branch Technical School, and yet to open its gates to a myriad of knowledge seeking minds until 1923.
It took the tireless efforts of seasoned bricklayers who jackhammered for five long hours, followed by intense effots with crowbars to finally uncover the 500-pound cornerstone, revealing the treasure underneath. A wave of anticipation washed over the crowd as Principal Bryan Wires held the time capsule in his hands and introduced its contents to the present.
“The exhilaration of holding it the first time was unprecedented, and the amount of students who showed up for the occasion added to the thrill,” Principal Wires recounted his experience.
Upon opening the capsule, it was found to house over a dozen artifacts which included daily newspapers of the era, old attendance records, and a labor directory. Among these was a jewel of a discovery, Canada’s 50th-anniversary coin, a donation from a school custodian.
Alumni and member of the school’s tech society, Ron Passmore, breathed a sigh of nostalgia. “It evoked a wave of emotions, but happiness truly took precedence. Expected decay was met with astonishment when the items emerged, preserved in an incredibly immaculate condition,” he mused.
Exuding deep respect for its past, Danforth Collegiate Institute plans to document these precious artifacts prior to returning them to their resting place in the time capsule and resealing the cornerstone. A centennial anniversary event on Oct. 28 has also been announced.
Meanwhile, the students of today are excitedly crafting their own version of a time capsule, aiming to capture the essence of life as a teenager in the current era. Items that paint a picture of their daily lives, like cellphones, yearbooks, or even merchandise, would be preserved for future generations to discover.
“The idea is to include items a regular teenager in high school would use daily,” stated Farill Arad, Vice-president of Danforth Collegiate Institute’s student council. With an eye for future convenience, this student time capsule would be securely stowed within the school premises, awaiting discovery a century from now.
