The oldest time capsule in the United States was opened and its contents dating back 220 years was examined for the first time since 1855 at the Museum of Fine Arts in Massachusetts on Tuesday.

The capsule created and placed by Paul Revere, William Scollay, and then Governor Samuel Adams did not hold many secrets as it had been unearthed from beneath the Massachusetts State House in 1855 and examined then. Before replacing the time capsule, it was placed in a copper container, replacing the cowhide package that it was previously interred in to better protect the items inside.

Meant to be “there fixed, unimpaired, in full vigor, till time shall be no more,” the capsule was placed with great fanfare in 1795. It was taken to its location at the State House, drawn by 15  white horses, and a 15-gun salute was deployed as the capsule was sealed between two slabs of lead. The number 15 is significant in that that was how many states were in the Union at that time, after Vermont and Kentucky were added.

It took at least seven hours to free the box from its location embedded in the State House after its re-discovery on December 11th while repair work was being done on the building. Then it took another four to five hours by museum officials to unloosen the screws that secured the metal container. Prior to being opened, the corroded box that weighed approximately 10 pounds, was x-rayed by the museum.

Once opened, the box revealed its contents. found inside were a couple of dozen silver and copper coins, five newspapers, the seal of the Massachusetts Commonwealth as well as a silver plate bearing the names of Paul Revere and Samuel Adams. The coins  inside dated from 1652 to 1855. The newer coins were placed there by the original unearthers who cleaned and repaired the time capsule and re-sealed it back into the building. Also in the ancient stash was a medal made of copper  depicting George Washington.

After being displayed in the museum for a time, the capsule will be re-interred in the building as per the wishes of the original creators of the capsule.

The discussion as to whether any new items will be placed in the time capsule when it is replaced into the building is on-going.

  1795, massachusetts, museum of fine arts, paul revere, samuel adams, time capsule