TORONTO - A little bit of Toronto history was unveiled today, Thursday, January 26th, 2012, with Ryerson University and Loblaws jointly revealing the contents of a 1931 time capsule found inside the walls of the historic Maple Leaf Gardens.

"Maple Leaf Gardens holds a lot of special memories for millions of Canadians and, it turns out, it also held a few surprises from 1931 that were just waiting to be found," said Sheldon Levy, president of Ryerson University. "We are thrilled to share the contents of the time capsule with all Canadians."

The time capsule, a copper box measuring 30 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm, has no external markings or writing. The inside of the lid is hand-engraved, "M.B. Campbell 124 Lindsay Ave 21/9/31". Discovered in September 2011, it held a dozen items including newspapers, hockey rulebooks, a letter from the Maple Leaf Gardens directors, and a small ivory elephant - the significance of which is unknown.

They are asking for the public's help in determining the meaning behind the elephant, and what items could go into a new time capsule to be housed at the Peter Gilgan Athletic Centre at the Gardens. Suggestions can be made by tweeting @RyersonNews or visiting Ryerson's Facebook page.

The time capsule contained a dozen items that were included on September 21st, 1931, including:

• A 4-page, typed letter from the directors of Maple Leaf Gardens describing the design and construction details of the new arena
• A stock prospectus for Maple Leaf Gardens
• Four newspapers from September 21st, 1931, including the Toronto Daily Star, The Globe, The Mail and Empire, and The Evening Telegram
• Three official hockey rule books, one each for the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association, the Ontario Hockey Association and the National Hockey League
• A Red Ensign flag
• A small ivory elephant with fragments of a blue ribbon

One of four daily papers found in the time capsule. The Monday, September 21, 1931 edition of conservative newspaper The Mail and Empire. Five years later, the paper merged with The Globe to become The Globe and Mail.

The capsule, which is jointly owned by both Ryerson and Loblaw, will be kept in a safe storage facility until a permanent display is created.

TOP PHOTO: A small, hand-carved, ivory elephant was found inside the time capsule. Researchers have not been able to identify its significance. The public is being asked for their insight into this mystery memento. (all photos courtesy of www.ryerson.ca)