In 1950 the Town of Dartmouth celebrated the 200th anniversary of its founding. A time capsule was created to commemorate the bicentennial and though it was intended to be opened for the 250th anniversary in 2000, last mayor of Dartmouth, Gloria McCluskey opened the capsule on July 30th, 1995 in what was seen then as Dartmouth's last birthday party before it merged into Halifax Regional Municipality in April 1996.
The newsclipping on the left describes the time capsule and shows the mayor and local historian Harry Chapman at the opening on the Dartmouth Common.
This virtual exhibit presents a selection of contents from the time capsule, which can be viewed in their entirety at Halifax Municipal Archives.
Daily News, July 31, 1995 p.5 (VFE-224-V)
Time Capsule Contents
- programmes from Bicentennial events;
- invitations to the Bicentenary events;
- post-cards of 1950s Dartmouth;
- The Patriot newspaper from July 20, 1950
- posters for the "Old Time" Market;
- Bicentennial Committee minutes, budget, stamp and ribbon-badges;
- IODE Bicentennial Committee minutes;
- a mounted plaque of the town logo with the Bicentenary banner;
- promotional match-book;
- 64 photographs (see selection below)
Click on image to view full program including essays on Dartmouth history HMA101-94-9 (6MB)
Cast-iron container (101-94)
The Dartmouth Bicentennial and Old Home Week Committee was established in 1946 and chaired by Arthur C. Pettipas (mayor 1948-1950). The Town of Dartmouth provided $25,000 to the Committee to organize the 10-day celebration for the 200th anniversary of the founding of Dartmouth.
Photos of Bicentenary celebrations
Below is a selection of the 64 photographs taken by Benjamin Studios and placed in the time capsule. See the Archives Database to view all 64. Contact the Archives if you can identify any of the people or places shown, but not mentioned in the captions.
Natal Day Parade photographs - August 2, 1950
Dartmouth Furnishers' float - HMA 101-94-5-03
HMA 101-94-3-02
Kiwanis Float - HMA101-94-3-04
Kings County Youth Band - HMA101-94-3-05
Youth Band - HMA101-94-3-03
Dartmouth Naval Detachment - HMA101-94-5-13
The famous Twin Velocipede belonging to Charles Davis-HMA101-94-3-09
"Tibbetts Line" float - HMA101-94-5-08
Cousin's Ltd Miss Sanitone float - HMA101-94-5-05
Mayor C.H Morris (Dartmouth) and Mayor Gordon Kinley (Halifax) - HMA101-94-5-07
J. P.Martin broadcasting historical data during the Natal Day Parade - HMA 101-94-5-10
Halifax Shipyards float - HMA101-94-5-04
Dartmouth Building Problem, 1750 float - HMA101-94-5-11
Stockade float - HMA101-94-5-12
Army Float- HMA101-94-3-08
HMA 101-94-3-01
Department of Highways and Public Works Mechanical Branch Float - HMA101-94-5-14
Stone Jug Water Well Float - HMA101-94-5-09
Junior Bengal Lancers - HMA101-94-5-06
Youth Day photographs, August 7, 1950
Youth Day Soap Box Derby, Portland St. - HMA101-94-1-01
Bobbe Gibbons, winner of Bicentenary Soap Box derby - HMA101-94-1-05
Youth Day bicycle parade, Arrows Ball Park - HMA101-94-1-03
Photographs of Venetian Night on Lake Banook - August 8, 1950
HMA101-94-2-03
HMA101-94-2-01
HMA101-94-2-02
HMA101-94-2-04
Sporting Events photographs
Start of the Natal Day Road Race - HMA-101-94-5-01
Banook Canoe Club Girls War Canoe Crew, Aug. 2, 1950 - HMA101-94-4-04
Banook Canoe Club Girls War Canoe Crew, Aug. 2, 1950 HMA101-94-4-01
Banook Juniors Winners, Aug. 4, 1950 - HMA101-94-4-06
Junior Bengal Lancers, Musical Ride Hazelhurst Property Mill Cove. Site of the former J.P. Mott Corporation Plant, Aug. 3,1950 HMA 101-94-7-01
Junior Bengal Lancers arriving at Hazelhurst, Aug. 3, 1950 HMA 101-94-7-01
Navy Regatta Sailing Races, Mill Cove - HMA101-94-4-05
Naval Regatta, Aug. 4, 1950 - HMA101-94-4-02
Cultural Events photographs
HMA101-94-6-06
Thanksgiving Service at Arrows Ball Park - HMA101-94-8-05
Dartmouth Choral Group. Leading the singing at the Thanksgiving Service, Arrows Ball Park - HMA101-94-8-02
Roman Catholic Thanksgiving Service, St. Peter's Church, July 30, 1950 HMA101-94-9-03
Mayor Harris greets visiting dignitaries from Dartmouth Massachusetts U.S.A - HMA101-94-6-08
Circular Dam and Memorial Park, Ceremony at the Presentation of the bell of HMCS Wentworth - HMA101-94-6-13
Presentation of the Bell of the HMCS Wentworth to the Town of Dartmouth, July 31, 1950 - HMA101-94-6-03
Fire Foam Demonstration at Shearwater Air Show, Aug. 8, 1950 - HMA101-94-8-06
“United Choir” from Dartmouth, Preston, Cherry Brook with choir leader Donald Fairfax, Lake Banook, Aug.6, 1950 - HMA101-94-1-04
Firemen's Variety show and street dance, Aug. 9, 1950 - HMA101-94-8-04
Mayor C.H. Morris cuts the tape across the entrance to the I.O.D.E. sponsored Arts, craft, and Historic exhibit at Greenvale School - HMA101-94-6-10
Mayor C.H. Morris presents the key to the Tourist Bureau building to a representative of Junior Board of Trade - HMA101-94-9-09
Choral group singing at Owls Club, north side Lake Banook - HMA101-94-4-03
Mayor Morris and Helen Creighton at plaque unveiling at the Medical Centre- HMA101-94-6-09
J. P. Martin, Leander Stevens, A.C. Pettipas at plaque unveiling at the Starr Manufacturing Company
A.C. Pettipas speaking at plaque unveiling at the Starr Manufacturing Company - HMA101-94-6-12
Unveiling of plaque at Dartmouth Medical Centre, 180 Portland St. - HMA101-94-6-02
Unveiling of the Plaque at Naval Armament Depot, site of Joseph Howe home - HMA101-94-6-11
Mayor C.H. Morris with police and special constables on duty during celebrations - HMA101-94-8-10
Special constables on duty during celebrations - HMA101-94-8-07
