City staff recommend turning Old City Hall into a ‘Museum of Toronto’
A report released Wednesday calls for a 25,000-square-foot museum for the national historic site.

Thestar.com
Jan. 17, 2018
Samantha Beattie

Old City Hall could be transformed into the first museum to solely explore Toronto’s history after the courts vacate the historic building in 2021.

In a report released Wednesday, city staff propose that Old City Hall -- a national historic site and designated heritage property -- include a “Museum of Toronto” focused on the city’s history. The proposed museum would include temporary and permanent exhibits, a public library branch and a wedding chamber. The report says the museum would have 25,000 square feet of exhibit space could become a “must-see” attraction for more than 225,000 visitors a year.

The building could also house restaurants, lounges, special events spaces, offices, a museum gift shop and incubator and academic space, said the report.

The executive committee will consider the staff recommendation next week. Council could vote on the item at its meeting later this month.

Councillor Josh Matlow (Ward 22, St. Paul’s) said he’s been “obsessed” with establishing a city museum since he was first elected councillor in 2011. Old City Hall is an ideal location, he said.

“Old City Hall, given its historic role as Toronto’s former seat of government and the iconic grandeur of the building, should be used for a public purpose,” Matlow said.

What better use than a museum that shares Toronto’s rich history, he said. “There are stories of Indigenous people on this land. There are stories of many waves of immigration that built the city we know today. There are stories about who we are as a people. I want visitors to come to Toronto and fall in love with our city and its story.”

The city has more than a million archeological specimens currently in storage, some of which could be displayed at the museum, along with artwork and other historical artifacts, Matlow said.

In 2015, council directed city staff to conduct a feasibility study for a museum at Old City Hall. This move came after city staff recommended it be used as a mall, and received pushback from councillors and the public.

In the 1960s, Old City Hall faced a different mall-related threat, the Star reported. Department store chain Eaton’s tried to purchase the city-owned property with plans to demolish the building to make way for its planned Eaton Centre.

Without support from politicians and various groups, it backed out, building beside Old City Hall instead.

In its most recent feasibility study, city staff said it found a museum is a good fit, but that Old City Hall, opened in 1899, requires “significant investment” in upgrades and heritage restoration work totalling about $190 million.

Former Toronto mayor David Crombie pushed for a city museum during his time in office from 1972 to 1978. On Wednesday he said he’s supportive of the report.

Old City Hall currently houses provincial and municipal courts, which are planned to leave the building at the end of 2021. If the museum recommendation is approved by council, city staff will begin to design the space, search for an entity to take over the lease and report back in 2019.