Toledoans have rediscovered items of historical significance. Community member, Julie Gibbons, former Toledo Police officer, Phil Carroll, and Director of the University of Toledo’s Ward M. Canaday Center for Special Collections, Barbara Floyd, came across early City of Toledo documents in a safe that was tucked in the attack of Toledo’s Safety Building downtown.
The Canaday Center showcased the historic point in Toledo’s history through the public unveiling of the documents dating back to 1836.
“By placing the documents in the Canaday Center, the city can help to ensure their permanent preservation, as well as make them more accessible to the people who might want to conduct research in them,” said Floyd.
According to a press release about the event, the new records found earlier this year in the Safety Building were added to existing local historical documents the Canaday Center acquired two years ago, including the first minute book of Toledo City Council from 1837, records of Toledo’s City Manager dating to 1947 and a large collection of annual reports from city departments, dating back to the 1890s.
Provost and President of Academic Affairs, Andrew Hsu, opened the unveiling through an explanation of which documents were recently made available through the City of Toledo.
“Transferred today are Toledo’s first city charter printed in 1837, a poll book from 1836, and an 1874 document that reveals an effort by the trustees of the former Toledo University Arts and Trades to give the assets of the university to the city,” said Hsu.
These documents included a poll book that gave the viewer a glimpse into the white male landowner dominated society, said Floyd.
Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson attended the unveiling and commented on the documents’ lasting importance.
“Based upon those visions of the past we are able to show the progress and forward movement of our city. It is especially important for us to remember and preserve that history,” said Hicks-Hudson.
Floyd gave closing remarks and reinforced the significance of the event.
“The documents preserved here are not just historical curiosity. They are the foundation upon which the city was built. They mark the beginning of the story of Toledo,” said Floyd.
The city documents will be on public display in the Canaday Center’s next exhibit, “Preserving Yesterday for Tomorrow: The Best of the Ward M. Canaday Center,” that is set to open in November, said Floyd.
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