Fall/Winter hours: We are open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 4pm and Friday by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please fill out our appointment form or email us at asc@torontomu.ca
Thank you all for participating in our COVID-19 Community Archive submission contest!
The COVID-19 Community Archive seeks to preserve and make accessible content that was captured and created by students, faculty, staff and alumni about their lived experiences during the pandemic. Our goal in developing this digital portal is to serve as a repository for those of us who may be documenting this historic moment.
We received incredible submissions throughout the summer contest. Here are the three randomly selected winning submissions:
Self Portrait #8 During Covid Lockdown by Jerry Waese
Covid Baking Chronicles by Regina Ledesma
Passing and Searching For Lost Time During The Pandemic by Gregory Hertel
The 3 winning submissions by Jerry Waese, Regina Ledesma and Gregory Hertel
Although the contest is closed, you can still submit your work to the University’s COVID-19 Digital Community Archive Project by using our online submission form. We accept all types of works: photographs, audiovisual recordings, artworks and written content reflecting your experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. Join us in this collaborative project to document these unprecedent times!
This year we open our doors for a virtual visit. We sincerely miss seeing all you alumni and your guests during this COVID-19 crisis. We miss hearing your stories about your days at Ryerson and sharing with you, in person, what we have in our collections. We sincerely hope you are keeping well.
Let’s begin with walking through the doors of the not-so-distant past, into the former Ryerson Archives Reading Room on the 3rd floor of Toronto Metropolitan University Library…
The Archives Reading Room as it looked in 2011 on the 3rd floor, Library. .
2013 Alumni Weekend, as arranged by my colleague, 3rd floor Archives. .
Peter working at the 2013 Alumni Weekend dressed as a 1993 grad, greeting visitors. And on the right, Peter, undressed. For more insight into Peter‘s life, see the Feature blog, Who is this man in the Archives? .
The Library stacks, 1970s, on display for 2013 Alumni Weekend. .
2013 Alumni Weekend. Sports featured here (L-R) Intramural sports, Judo, Soccer, Men’s Basketball, Golf, Downhill Skiing, Football, Women’s Basketball .
Perhaps some of you were taught Politics by Jack Layton in the 1970s. This 2014 display honours him. .
In 2017, after having merged with Special Collections, the 4th floor became our new home…
Our presence is boldly announced. We’re located directly across from the elevators. You can also see our three-section display case. .
Upon walking through the doors, you’ll enter our Reading Room. Check out this short blog about The Oakham House Dogs, seen in the foreground. .
Looking to the left as you walk in. The blond wood cabinet is the last card catalogue shelving unit remaining in the Library. .
A comfy reading area where you can peruse the shelves, enjoy the few yearbooks and every issue of The Ryersonian and The Eyeopener. .
2019 Alumni Weekend .
Eggy made an appearance at the 2019 Open House, at least as his former self (2004-2011) – except for the 1990s sports jersey. Celebrating Eggy blog post takes a look at Eggy’s past. .
1950s and ’60 apparel. Woman’s blazer. And, a tam, a variety of beanies, a top hat, and a recent rams hat for those emulating Eggy. .
A sampling of our button collection. .
Model of the original Ryerson building, Ryerson Hall, showing the building as it was in 1852 when it was built as Canada’s first Normal School (teachers’ college). .
Look! A miniature Ryerson student! .
It’s time now for a few artefacts from Special Collections…
A 19th C Magic Lantern, a kind of early slide show with glass images projected through a lens. The source of light for projection was an oil lamp inside the lantern “belly”, thus, the chimney at the top. All said, a dangerous proposition. .
These wonderful 19th C tintypes are examples of a photographic process creating a positive image directly on a small lacquered-covered piece of metal. They were inexpensive and very popular. Often mounted in small cases, as seen on the left, which opens to a velvet interior with a tiny, elaborate frame. The image inside has been meticulously hand painted. .
3D imagery is sampled here : A late 19th C / early 20th C stereoscope (left)…to this 1970s Talking View-Master! .
And finally, WWII Canadian comic books featuring Canadian heroes…
Called Canadian Whites due to the white paper within the very colourful covers. Here, under Triumph Comics, is Nelvana of the Northern Lights. .
And Crash Carson, under the WOW banner, shoots down a Nazi plane. See more information in our online database.
We hope you enjoyed your first Archives & Special Collections Virtual Open House! “Stay Safe.”
