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They open a time capsule from 1887 found in a statue: what did they find?

2021-12-23T02:19:01.202Z


Finally it was revealed what a time capsule kept from 1887 at the base of the statue of Robert E. Lee, in Richmond, Virginia.


This is how they removed the statue of General Lee in Virginia 2:17

(CNN) -

The elements that a time capsule kept since 1887 were finally revealed.

The capsule was discovered last week at the base of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, in Richmond, Virginia.

An 1875 almanac, books, and a coin were found inside a time capsule discovered on the pedestal of Robert E. Lee's statue.

Gov. Ralph Northam lifted the cap on the capsule Wednesday to reveal the items, according to a live broadcast from CNN affiliate WTVR.

Historic preservation experts found an 1875 almanac, two other worn books, a cloth envelope, and a coin.

All items were wet and are now handled with caution.

  • Robert E. Lee statue on historic Virginia street removed

The specialists worked carefully to remove the items from the capsule, ensuring that they could be preserved.

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The process to open the box began around 10 am and took several hours to complete.

The experts removed the lead capsule with various tools and machinery.

Northam arrived at the facility around 12:30 pm, but then left because the process was taking longer than expected.

Then he came back around 3pm, when the box was finally ready to be opened.

The story of the time capsule

Workers move a stone containing a time capsule that was placed in 1887.

Crews found the time capsule on December 17, while dismantling the 40-foot plinth on Monument Avenue in Richmond, according to a news release from Northam's office.

The 12-ton statue of Lee on his horse, which was removed in September, was a focal point of protests for racial justice in Richmond, the former capital of the Confederacy.

The time capsule was found in the pedestal tower about 20 feet above ground level.

Officials initially thought it was locked at the base of the pedestal.

So in September crews used cranes and other heavy equipment to move 21 granite blocks, including some that weighed as much as 3.6 tons.

  • 176-year-old "time capsule" found in Hungarian church

The teams also dug a large 1.5 meter deep hole near the cornerstone of the pedestal in hopes of finding the time capsule.

Historians believe the time capsule was put on October 27, 1887, and included about 60 items that were donated by 37 Richmond residents, many of whom were related to the Confederacy, according to the governor's office.

The state plans to store the pedestal until officials decide what to do with the partial monument.

Amir Vera and Artemis Moshtaghian, both of CNN, contributed to this story.

CapsuleStatueRobert E. Lee

Source: cnnespanol

All news articles on 2021-12-23

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