Demolition workers discover mysterious 100-year-old time capsule as they tear down a school – and its contents are perfectly preserved
A century-old time capsule was discovered during the demolition of a Minnesota high school, and its perfectly preserved contents were revealed for the first time this week.
The capsule was recovered as construction workers tore down the front pillars and doors of the former Owatonna High School, which was built in 1920.
Bob Olson, the director of facilities, infrastructure and security, had instructed workers to carefully remove a cornerstone, as the district was planning to preserve it in their office or in the new high school.
But inside that cornerstone, which was laid more than a century ago, the workers found a surprise – a 104-year-old time capsule.
The contents of the tattered white box were laid out during a press conference on Monday.
A 104-year-old time capsule was uncovered during the demolition of the old Owatonna High School in Minnesota, and its contents were revealed for the first time on Monday
The capsule was tucked away inside a cornerstone that had been laid in 1920, when the old high school was erected
Director of Facilities Bob Olson (left) instructed demolition workers to carefully remove the cornerstone, as the district planned to preserve it
Principal Cory Kath was one of several administrators who spoke before the unveiling.
‘I think what’s really important is that Owatonna High School has a rich history, and that history has spanned multiple buildings, multiple spaces of learning, many different faces, and so tonight I think it’s going to be really exciting to see some of those faces emerge,’ he said.
Olson donned a pair of latex gloves before carefully pulling out the items and announcing each one to the crowd.
The capsule was stacked with papers containing historical information about the high school and local community.
Among the items were one of the earliest editions of the OHS Magnet, the school’s student-run newspaper, and a district finance committee report.
There were also copies of three local newspapers – The Daily People’s Press, The Blooming Prairie Time and Owatonna Journal-Chronicle. Only the People’s Press has continued printing to this day.
There was also information about the city itself, including a list of mayors and city reporters and a written history of Owatonna.
The most surprising finds were several items belonging to the Minnesota Freemasons and a booklet written entirely in Czech.
The tattered white box was full of documents detailing the school’s history
Olson sported a pair of latex gloves at Monday’s press conference, where he pulled out the items and described each one to the crowd
Among the items were copies of three local newspapers, including two that have ceased printing
The most surprising discoveries included items belonging to the Minnesota Freemasons and a booklet written in Czech
The district plans to display some items on school property, while others will go to the Steele County Historical Society
Some documents contained information about OHS back in the day, including a roster of the 1920-21 Board of Education and school staff.
Papers containing enrollment information revealed a striking contrast. In 1920, there were just 327 students at the school, a fraction of its current study body of 1,500.
The items will go under curation, with the hopes that some of them will be able to be displayed on school property.
The OHS Museum Committee is working with the Steele County Historical Society to determine which items are directly tied to the district.
The historical society plans to adopt some items for preservation and display.
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