The time capsule was found in the Massachusetts State House, it is the oldest known time capsule in the United States.
In 1795, Paul Revere and Samuel Adams buried a time capsule containing objects from the time. On Tuesday at 6 pm, the contents of that time capsule were revealed at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts.
The capsule was originally placed in the cornerstone of the Massachusetts State House wrapped in cowhide, but was unearthed on accident in 1855 when the State House was being remodeled. The contents were taken out and instead placed in a copper box and placed back under the State House. The capsule was recovered last month due to a water leak, and thoroughly observed through x-ray; it held coins, newspapers, a Massachusetts commonwealth seal, and a metal plate. Though the contents were not much of a mystery, their condition was unknown until the excavation of the contents.
Pam Hatchfield, head of the objects conservation for Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, performed the excavation and unveiling of the contents.
“They said it was hermetically sealed, and I think they really meant it,” said Hatchfield in reference to the time capsule.
Most of the metal objects seemed to have deteriorated over time, but the newspapers were in a preserved state. “The paper is in amazingly good condition,” she said. Hatchfield used a porcupine quill as well as a dentist’s probe to handle the objects.
The contents seemed to have been washed with acid before being placed in the container. The capsule weighs 10 pounds and has dimensions of 5.5 inches by 7.5 inches by 1.5 inches. It is currently the oldest found in the United States.
At least 24 coins were found in the container as well. One of them was a medal with a depiction of George Washington. An engraved silver plate smithed by Paul Revere was among the other contents. All of the contents will be preserved and put on display. Ultimately, the objects will again be put into a time capsule and placed in the cornerstone of the State House. It is possible that new objects may be added to the time capsule.
