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Burying Salt Lake history: The intrigue of time capsules

Burying Salt Lake history: The intrigue of time capsules

(Courtesy Utah State Historical Society)


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From ancient civilizations to modern day, the desire to preserve history, or become history, by burying belongings to preserve for future generations has transcended time. Unlike buried treasure, meant to be found only by the person who buried it, time capsules are designed for others to find in an effort to ensure the stories inside live on.

This desire to leave “messages for the future” captured the attention of none other than Samuel Adams and Paul Revere.

Courtesy: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Courtesy: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

In 1795, the two former Sons of Liberty placed a time capsule in the cornerstone of the Massachusetts State House. In 2014, repairman fixing a water leak accidentally uncovered the brass box. But, this wasn’t the first time the time capsule had been opened. It was first opened in 1855 for cleaning. At that time new artifacts were added and it was sealed up again. Then in 2015, in front of a national audience, the time capsule was unsealed a second time. It contained a trove of preserved artifacts including coins (some of which date back to the 1600s), newspapers, a copper medal depicting George Washington, and a sliver plaque believed to be engraved by Paul Revere.

Silver and copper coins – dating from 1652 to 1855. Courtesy: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Silver and copper coins – dating from 1652 to 1855. Courtesy: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The silver plaque read, “This cornerstone of a building intended for the use of the legislature and executive branches of the government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was laid by his Excellency Samuel Adams, Esquire, governor of the said Commonwealth.”

Inscribed silver plaque. Courtesy: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Inscribed silver plaque. Courtesy: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Placing time capsules in cornerstones was also very popular here in the Beehive State. On April 4th, 1914, a copper box, filled with items meant to represent Utah’s unique history and culture, was sealed in the cornerstone of the State Capitol building.

Cornerstone laying. April 4, 1914. Courtesy: Utah State Historical Society
Cornerstone laying. April 4, 1914. Courtesy: Utah State Historical Society

The Capitol cornerstone time capsule was removed from its 102-year enclosure in 2016. Inside were several coins, a 2 cent stamp, a Utah Light and Railway Company ticket, photographs from the cornerstone ceremony, a copy of LDS Biographical Encyclopedia and Church Chronology, as well as several newspapers.

Gov. Herbert with time capsule. Oct. 3, 2016. Courtesy: State of Utah
Gov. Herbert with time capsule. Oct. 3, 2016. Courtesy: State of Utah

On July 5th, 1909, members of the Commercial Club, now the Salt Lake Chamber, laid a copper box of their own in the cornerstone of the Commercial Club building.

Commercial Club cornerstone laying. July 5th, 1909. Courtesy: Utah State Historical Society
Commercial Club cornerstone laying. July 5th, 1909. Courtesy: Utah State Historical Society

The address from the Commercial Club’s President William J. Halloran, read, “When this structure shall be completed there will mingle within its walls the followers of every calling and creed and neither politics or religion will enter to hinder and delay the great purpose of the Commercial Club to strive that Salt Lake may realize the wonderful destiny which is guaranteed to her by a tributary domain of vast area and wealth.”

Time capsule removed from Commercial Club building. April 18th, 2017
Time capsule removed from Commercial Club building. April 18th, 2017

As part of the Salt Lake Chamber’s 130th Anniversary celebration, the Commercial Club time capsule was unearthed in April 2017. Inside the copper box was a well preserved Holy Bible, a 1909 Commercial Club Year Book, a typewritten copy of the address given at the cornerstone laying, business cards from the contractors who helped construct the building, and a copy of the Commercial Club’s complaint against the railroad companies over discriminatory freight rates.

Left to right: Lane Beattie, Keith McMullin, Wilford Clyde
Left to right: Lane Beattie, Keith McMullin, Wilford Clyde
Holy Bible, business cards, 1909 year book
Holy Bible, business cards, 1909 year book

It’s time to write history again. Like many unearthed time capsules, the Salt Lake Chamber is going to be replacing the old copper box with a new one. Today, June 13th, new mementos, new markers of history will be encapsulated in the cornerstone of the Commercial Club to be opened when the Chamber celebrates its 200 years in 2087.

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