Time capsule found at a US high school that dates back to 1920

A time capsule from 1920 was discovered under the wreckage of Owatonna High School in Owatonna, Minnesota, USA, during a demolition job. When the building team began demolishing the school’s front doors and pillars, they discovered the capsule. Today, the time capsule was opened at a community gathering.

Among the things found were a high school magnet and a list of the instructors and administrators of Owatonna Public Schools in 1920. The time capsule also included bank accounts, three local newspapers, and a school newspaper. A time capsule is a collection of artifacts assembled to preserve the memory of a location. Additionally, time capsules might retain a particular event or group of individuals.

In an interview with Fox Television Stations, Jeff Elstad, the superintendent of the school system, went into more detail about it. He said, “We were overjoyed to learn that a time capsule had been inserted into the high school’s cornerstone. Finding out more about our community’s past and the individuals who had the vision to construct a first-rate school that would educate so many kids for many years is always fascinating.

It’s impossible to predict precisely what will be in the time capsule, Jeff says. A time capsule might include several items that are comparable to newspapers and local history. Finding the products that explicitly provided information on the schools at the time, according to him, was enjoyable.

To dry and preserve the artifacts, the Steele County Historical Society and the Owatonna High School Museum Committee have worked together. After the pieces are preserved, decisions will be made about which ones to include in the historical society’s collections and which to show at the school.

According to Jeff, the finding has made it possible for the community to have informed opinions on local history. He said that the historical value of the time capsule was understood by both the Owatonna High School Museum Committee and himself. According to Jeff, he is dedicated to carrying on with the historical record-keeping for future generations.