On Tuesday evening at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the time capsule discovered beneath the Massachusetts State House was opened for the first time since 1855. Originally placed in the cornerstone of the iconic Beacon Hill building in 1795, the time capsule is the oldest in the country according to the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance.

Pam Hatchfield, head of objects conservation at the MFA, undertook the meticulous task of removing the time capsule from the cornerstone itself and made sure it could, in fact, be opened. X-rays were also taken, hinting at the contents, some of which were confirmed by past documentation. Some of that was also backed up by the Freemason Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

“This is the most exciting [project] I’ve ever worked on,” said Hatchfield, who’s previously worked on items as old as 4,000 years in ancient Egypt. “It helps reestablish our history.”

The opening of the capsule revealed the following items inserted in 1795:

• Pine tree shilling, dated 1652

• U.S. half dollar, dated 1795

• U.S. half dime, dated 1795 (these three made of silver)

• Massachusetts cent, dated 1787

• Massachusetts cent, dated 1788

• Washington medal, dated c. 1783

• New Jersey cent, dated 1787

• U.S. cent, dated 1793

• U.S. cent, dated 1794

• A 4.2-inch by 5.5 inch silver plate.

The time capsule was first placed in 1795 during a dedication ceremony for the State House’s groundbreaking. A ceremony was conducted by Paul Revere, Grand Master of the Freemason Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, at the invitation of Governor Sam Adams, both noted Revolutionary era patriots, along with William Scollay.

In 1855, maintenance and expansion to the State House revealed the time capsule which was subsequently extracted. The items were removed, documented cleaned and reinterred with the addition of new items.

The 1855 items include:

• One silver U.S. half dollar, dated 1855

• One silver U.S. quarter dollar, dated 1855

• One U.S. dime, dated 1855

• One U.S. three cent coin, dated 1855

• Four copper U.S. one cent coins – one each from 185, 1853, 1854, 1855

• Three U.S. half cent coins – one each from 1851, 1853 and 1854

• One title page for The REcords of The Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Ba in New England, printed by the order of the legislature and edited by NAthaniel Shurtleff, M.D.

• One impression of the Massachusetts State Seal in use in 1855

• Cards by G.J.F Bryant, Architect, and J.R. Richard Architect

• Assorted morning papers of the day

As Hatchfield removed the newspapers, she commented on how well preserved they were with little corrosion. Some of the coins, though, were damaged by acid intended to preserve them over time. 

The silver plate thought to be engraved by Revere, a silversmith by trade, depicting his name as well as that of Adams and Scollay, was engraved again to include the name of Governor Henry J. Gardner.

It still had fingerprints on it upon removal.

Massachusetts Secretary William Galvin said that eventually all of the items will be put on full display and sealed back in the cornerstone for posterity. He added that there’s a chance it could include items from contemprary times as well.