Time Capsules
A few years ago a time capsule was unearthed from underneath the old cottage hospital in Ross on Wye, which was being pulled down.
The green jar had been buried in 1879. It contained a copy of the Ross Gazette, a copy of the (now defunct) 'Man of Ross' newspaper, some Victorian coins, a photographic view of the town, a photograph of the founding ceremony, an almanac on institutions in Ross, and a list of donors to the – then – new hospital.
Two interesting aspects of this are:
- How did they get all of that into a jar 10 x 3 inches with a somewhat smaller opening?
- How any of it survived when the jar was only bunged up with cork!
The newspapers were falling to pieces and needed radical surgery in the conservation room. Most of it was saved.
Some points to remember if you are going to make a time capsule yourself:
- Leave instructions for the future on how to find it.
- Use a good quality container that can be well sealed.
- Do not use anything organic as this will break down in time.
- Use the best possible processing if including photographs.
- If thinking of including CDs, videos, etc. remember the hardware may well have become obsolete by the time the capsule is found.
- Use acid-free material, preferably of archival quality.
Remember to make sure your 'time capsule' and contents are made from materials which will last at least another 100 years.
