Winnipeg, MB - Mayor Sam Katz, City Councillors and guests gathered today in the Mayor's Foyer to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the first meeting of Winnipeg City Council.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize and celebrate a milestone moment in our city’s heritage,” said Mayor Katz. “This anniversary gives us the chance to learn about our past and pay tribute to the first members of Council who set forth some of the procedures that still remain in place today, such as three readings of by-laws. It’s fascinating to see how much has changed and how much has remained the same.”
Winnipeg City Council was formed shortly after the incorporation of the city in November 1873. The newly-elected Council, made up of Mayor Francis Cornish and 12 aldermen, three for each of the four wards, held its inaugural meeting at noon on Jan 19, 1874. According to the minutes of the meeting, after the official reading of the election results, the Mayor took his Oath of Office and the Aldermen were sworn in as a body.
The historic first meeting took place in a rented room on the second floor of Bentley’s Store, located just north of what is now Portage and Main. The room was renovated and furnished to accommodate the Council chambers, as well as the Mayor’s Office and police court. Although they met regularly to conduct the City’s business, Council didn’t have a permanent home until the opening of Winnipeg’s first City Hall building in 1876.
A box of items significant to the City was laid in the cornerstone of the first City Hall during its construction and remained there until the building’s demolition. The contents of the “cornerstone casket,” including original documents, photographs, coins, the city’s first voters list, and various curiosities, have been placed on display at City Hall to coincide with the anniversary of Council.
For those unable to attend the reception, the historical materials from the “cornerstone casket” will remain on display in the Mayor’s Foyer until Jan 31, 2014. The public is welcome to view the display during City Hall hours of business.