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Top Hat Ceremony

Sepia photograph of a group of people in coats and hats. Person at front right is giving a top hat to person at front left.

Source: Oshawa Museum, Archival Collection, A985.41.33
Date: 1932

The top hat is still awarded to the captain of the ship who is the first of the season to enter Oshawa Harbour. The top hat is not only awarded at Oshawa Harbour, but is a maritime tradition at all ports.

Here, the presentation by Mayor Peter MacDonald is witnessed by, from Left to Right: Fire Chief Wesley Elliot, Les McLaughlin, S.J. Babe, Captain unknown, George Hart, unknown, T.B. Mitchell, Dixon, Mayor MacDonald, Fred O’Kirby, unknown, H. Cawker.