TIME CAPSULES

TIME CAPSULES. A time capsule is a historic cache of goods or information usually intended as a deliberate method of communication with future people and to help future archaeologists, anthropologists, or historians. The preservation of holy relics dates back for millennia, but the practice of preparing and preserving a collection of everyday artifacts and messages to the future appears to be a more recent practice. Time capsules are sometimes created and buried during celebrations such as a world's fair, a cornerstone laying for a building, or at other ceremonies. (1)

In 1967 a dented copper box containing artifacts of 1912 was found under the cornerstone of ST. ANTHONY'S HOME FOR THE AGED which was demolished to make room for a multi-million dollar expansion of MERCY MEDICAL CENTER. The box's location was known by Robert E. Byrne whose father placed the box under the stone. In the box, Byrne had placed a 1907 dime, a prayer written in purple ink and script of the times, a deteriorating photograph of James J. KEANE taken in 1912, religious medals and miniature statues in small metal containers, a list of the important political figures of the times, four local newspapers, and advertisements and headlines of the time. (2)

Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald

In 1976 during Dubuque's celebration of the American bicentennial, a time capsule donated by Dubuque Wilwert Vaults Inc. was sponsored by the Dubuque JAYCEES. The capsule contained letters, photographs, tape recordings and news clippings of 1976 in sealed containers which had been purchased from the Jaycees. Jaycees were also on hand to collect already-purchased containers and sell others. (3) Once filled, the hermetically-sealed time capsule was buried at the southern edge of WASHINGTON PARK on Labor Day in a spot which remained unmarked for three years.

In May, 1979 a 1,500-pound monument of native stone complete with a plaque was delivered to the park and installed by workmen from the William Becker & Sons Stone Company. The marker read: (4)

                   Washington Square Time Capsule
                         1776-1976  

          During Dubuqueland celebration of the 200th birthday
          of the United States of America, the people of Dubuque
          sealed their bicentennial-tricentennial time capsule
          for the future generations of Dubuque to enjoy. The
          The time capsule is to be opened July 4, 2076, and the
          contents distributed in accordance with the donors
          wishes.

                                              This time capsule is part of the Dubuque Jaycees
                                              Washington Square restoration. This square is the site
                                              of Iowa's first church, school and court house. This
                                              time capsule was made possible in part through the
                                              contribution by the Dubuque Savings and Loan Association.
                                                1876-1976

Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald

Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald

While it was common for commercial buildings or even schools to place lists of names, news articles, coins or other artifacts into cornerstones, hollow concrete blocks usually carrying the date of the building, personal time capsules have also been constructed. In 1947 Ken Trowbridge and his brother-in-law were building a concrete-block wall around the porch of his house at 2676 Jackson Street. Trowbridge tossed a newspaper, pair of baby shoes, and a picture of himself into one of the blocks. While deconstructing the wall forty-nine years later, Scott Anderson found the artifacts. Trowbridge was contacted and remembered the incident and the items he never thought he would see again. (5)

Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald

Cornerstones and the artifacts they may contain have even conjured up humor as the following found in the February 18, 1900 issue of The Dubuque Herald:

---

Source:

1. "Time Capsule," Wikipedia, Online: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_capsule

2. West, Roberta, "A Time Capsule," Telegraph-Herald, August 4, 1967, p. 8

3. "Labor Day Burial for Time Capsule," Telegraph Herald, September 3, 1976, p. 2

4. "Now You Can Find Bicentennial Capsule," Telegraph Herald, May 29, 1979, p. 10

5. McDermott, Brad, "Block of Time, Telegraph Herald, August 6, 1996, p 1