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Could the face with the mustache be architect E.J. Lennox (also designer of Casa Loma)?
Could the face with the mustache be architect E.J. Lennox (also designer of Casa Loma)?

Toronto Old City Hall

An unexpected early afternoon off gave me a chance to visit the inside of a building I’ve passed many many times in my life and never entered: Toronto’s Old City Hall (1899).

While not strictly a museum, I’m allowing it in my 100 Museums Challenge as it’s a heritage building containing some exhibits, artwork, and an enormous stained glass window by Robert McCausland (and may in future be a Museum of Toronto).

Queen St. entrance of Old City Hall, with the words "MUNICIPAL BUILDING" in the stonework. The "New" City Hall, across the street, took over in 1965.
Queen St. entrance of Old City Hall, with the words “MUNICIPAL BUILDING” in the stonework. The “New” City Hall, across the street, took over in 1965.

A few years ago, I attended a truly wonderful illustrated talk about Old City Hall given by architectural historian Marta O’Brien, who recommended we make the effort to visit the interior. It’s only open to the public during business hours Monday to Friday, or on Doors Open weekend, so it was an unexpected pleasure to have the chance to explore it today.

The Romanesque Revival style building serves today as the courthouse for the Ontario Government, Ontario Court of Justice - criminal court.
The Romanesque Revival style building serves today as the courthouse for the Ontario Government, Ontario Court of Justice – criminal court.

Note that interior photos are not permitted while courts are in session.

Read more about Old City Hall’s heritage value at Canada’s Historic Places. Plenty of photos (including Jimi Hendrix in 1969) are here on the Toronto Public Library’s blog post Old City Hall in the Digital Archive.

Toronto Old City Hall is museum no. 18 in my #100museums challenge (see 100 Museums Challenge).