Ceremonial 'topping out' trowel
Date made: c.1974
Description: This trowel was presented to Mr R.L.Stott, who participated in the 'topping out' ceremony of 54-58 Athol Street, Douglas, on 6 September 1974. In an event such as this, a dignitary lays the final brick to complete the construction of a building.
The trowel is an ordinary Harris builder's variety, engraved with the details of the event for which it was used.
Following the Isle of Man's move towards financial services as its main breadwinner in the 1960s, Athol Street was redevoped from a mixed residential and commercial street, into the financial heart of Douglas. Today this building is home to a mix of insurance and financial management companies, entirely typical of the sort of businesses upon which the economy of the Isle of Man is based in the 21st century.
Measurements: 28.5 x 7 x 5 cm
Materials: metal: iron, paint: oil, wood
Object name: trowel
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 2004-0094