Steelpan: History, Pan Tones Exhibit | Archives of Ontario
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Pan Tones: The Colourful History of Steelpan

September 21, 2026

Pan Tones: The Colourful History of Steelpan

New onsite exhibit!

Learn about the international sound of steelpan and its role in Ontario’s history by visiting our new exhibit Pan Tones: The Colourful History of Steelpan, on now through Spring 2027 in our ground floor Reading Room. The exhibit explores Ontario’s contributions to the development of this unique music genre, and its resonance across the province.

Showcasing images, newspaper clippings, steelpan educational resources and a steelpan on loan from legendary steelpan pioneer Pat McNeilly (“Panman Pat”), the exhibit offers visitors a broader understanding of steelpan music, its origins in Trinidad and Tobago and its significance to the history of the province.

Steelpan, the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, is a feature of Ontario’s Caribbean community, and its distinctive sound continues to enrich our collective culture through community events, festivals and educational programs.  

Location: Archives of Ontario, ground floor Reading Room, 134 Ian Macdonald Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2C5

Dates: September 2026 through Spring 2027

Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Colour photograph of a steelpan band performing on a float or raised platform during a street festival or parade. Several musicians in matching yellow shirts play light blue steel drums mounted on stands, while spectators gather below. Urban buildings and a large billboard are visible in the background, capturing a lively outdoor performance in a city setting.
Trinbyrds, Caribana champions of 1978 (Ian Jones fonds, F 4727, Archives of Ontario)
Colour photograph of a steelpan band performing on a float or raised platform during a street festival or parade. Several musicians in matching yellow shirts play light blue steel drums mounted on stands, while spectators gather below. Urban buildings and a large billboard are visible in the background, capturing a lively outdoor performance in a city setting.
Trinbyrds, Caribana champions of 1978 (Ian Jones fonds, F 4727, Archives of Ontario)

Experience the steelpan online!

Experience the distinctive sound of the steelpan online. Select or click the notes on our digital steelpan below to hear its different tones and get a feel for the instrument that has become an important part of Caribbean culture and community life in Ontario.

Select the keys on your keyboard (A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K) to play the notes.

Acknowledgements

Pan Tones: The Colourful History of Steelpan is a collaboration between the Archives of Ontario, the Consulate General of Trinidad and Tobago, community members and Pan Trinbago — the Trinidad and Tobago-based international organization that governs steelpan music.

The exhibit draws substantially from the records of Ian Jones (an artist, activist, musician and educator in the calypso and steelpan community, as well as a facilitator of Black community enhancement in Ontario), preserved here at the Archives of Ontario, and the input of Tony Pierre.