After a process that took over seven hours and involved several workers, a time capsule found hidden within the granite cornerstone of the Old State House in Boston has finally been extracted.
It is believed that the time capsule was placed where it was found in 1795 during a ceremony that began in downtown Boston and then transferred to the State House, according to historical records. The time capsule was believed to have been placed there by Governor Samuel Adams, Paul Revere and William Scollay, and is thought to be one of the oldest ones in Massachusetts.
"I feel happy and relieved. And excited. And really interested to see what's in this box," said Pam Hatchfield, Objects Conservation head for the Museum of Fine Arts. Hatchfield spent hours on her back on a wooden plank to delicately chip away at the bottom of the stone block where the time capsule was located.
The green box was first discovered in 1855 when emergency repairs had to be done to the structure's foundation. However, the time capsule was buried again. It was re-discovered during an investigation on water infiltration at the building, which tagged the corner where the time capsule was located as a problem area.
"Hopefully there will be no damage and we will be able to observe the artifacts that trace us back to the history not only just of this building, but of our Commonwealth and our country," said William Galvin, the Secretary of State, who was present during the extraction of the time capsule.
It is believed that the box contains copper and silver coins from the years 1652 to 1855, newspapers, cards, an engraved silver plate, the Commonwealth seal, and a Massachusetts Colony Records title page.
Hatchfield said that the copper box, despite looking very corroded, did not receive damage during the extraction process. The box was heavier than what she expected, Hatchfield noted.
The time capsule was escorted by the authorities to the Museum of Fine Arts, where it will be run through an X-ray machine to confirm its contents. Galvin, however, noted that there were concerns on the condition of the copper and silver coins, which could have been acid-washed before they were reburied, along with the other contents of the time capsule, back in 1855.
Galvin said that the opening of the time capsule will be one day next week. However, he adds that after the contents are examined, the time capsule will be placed back where it was found.
There has been no decision yet on whether any objects will be added to the time capsule before it is reburied.
