On December 11, a time capsule was unearthed when structural maintenance was being conducted to the Massachusetts State House near the building’s cornerstone. Placed there in 1795 when ground broke on the building, the time capsule was sent to the Museum of Fine Arts where conservators x-rayed it to determine what lies inside. It will be opened for the first time since 1855 on January 6, 2015 at 6 p.m.
According to the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance in conjunction with the MFA, the 10-pound box measuring 5.5 x 7.5 x 1.5- inches contains what’s thought to be “a collection of silver and copper coins (dating from 1652 and 1855); an engraved silver plate; a copper medal depicting George Washington; newspapers; the seal of the Commonwealth; cards; and a title page from the Massachusetts Colony Records,” per the x-ray.
A recording of the reburial confirms the contents from 1855 when the time capsule was discovered because of emergency structural issues.
Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin’s office spearheaded the time capsule’s removal – encased in plaster along with miscellaneous coins – along with Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, and engineering firm, as well as Walsh Brothers Construction and their sub-contractors.
Boston architect Charles Bulfinch designed the State House and the cornerstone ceremony was overseen by Paul Revere, Grand Master of the Freemason Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Revere was invited by Governor Samuel Adams and accompanied by William Scollay.
According to the Robert Huke, the Massachusetts Lodge’s communications director, when the time capsule was first opened a silver plate that had already been included was removed, inscribed, and replaced.
This is the second Boston time capsule to be discovered this year, the first being from 1901 inside the head of the lion statue found on the roof of the Old State House. It contained, among some of the notable items, letters from City of Boston officials, photos, receipts, political buttons and one envelope addressed to posterity containing absolutely nothing.
