A new style of time capsule was filled on Tuesday as Brantford marked its 145th anniversary as an incorporated city.
The indoor sealable cabinet mounted in city hall’s Heritage Hall – the area that once was the long lobby of the then post office – was filled with mementos, art work and a letter from Mayor Kevin Davis to the city’s future mayor in 2042.
“It’s a way one generation can send a message to the next generation,” said Davis, noting that the large container will be opened on May 31, 2042, and added to by the then city’s leaders.
“It not only marks an important occasion for us as a community but is also designed to send a message about what was special and important to us and what we hope they’ll achieve in the next 20 years.”
Artwork from three young students was chosen to reflect things that sparked passion in youth.
Both Sophia Lee, 10, and Kianna Kara Angel Hess, 13, painted parts of the Grand River with Sophia’s showing the trail system and Angel’s including a swath of Carolinian forest.
Yashveer Kayal depicted the Brantford Public Library in a collage that represented diversity, equality and inclusiveness
When invited to explain what inspired him, seven-year-old Yashveer cleared his throat and said: “I have a few words.”
He told the gathered crowd he loves the library.
City spokesperson Maria Visocchi said she expects the enthusiastic young artist to be behind the podium when the time capsule is opened in 20 years.
Other items in the capsule included an orange Every Child Matters T-shirt, a city-produced video, called My Brantford, that features residents talking about what makes the city special, a City of Brantford 2022 calendar, the current Discover Brantford Guide and some of the ribbon cut during the official grand opening of the new city hall in September, 2021 and the scroll read by the town crier that day.
There were also photos of city staff teams and city assets and a copy of Tuesday’s Expositor sealed in.
The mayor told the gathering that a time capsule was a fitting way to recognize the historic significance of the 107-year-old building, which once housed Brantford’s iconic post office and to point to the fact it will stand for decades to come.
“I’m really proud that the building’s long-standing historical legacy of public service will continue.”
Davis noted that town crier David McKee also celebrated a noteworthy anniversary this month since it was 30 years ago he was appointed as the city’s official crier.
As a surprise, a line of town criers from across Ontario marched in with their partners, each delivering cries that reflected McKee’s work over the decades.
The mayor improvised his own booming cry, inviting all to depart the hall and congregate elsewhere for refreshments.
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