Century-old time capsule found at Minnesota high school

In what Superintendent Jeff Elstad called a "historic arena for our community," a much than century-old clip capsule has been discovered successful nan demolition of an aged precocious schoolhouse Owatonna, Minnesota. The contents of nan capsule were unveiled for nan first clip during a press conference this week. 

Bob Olson, head of facilities, infrastructure and information astatine Owatonna Public Schools, said astatine nan arena that nan capsule was discovered while an aged schoolhouse was being taken down. According to nan Owatonna People's Press, it was nan erstwhile Owatonna High School that had been erected successful 1921. 

Owatonna Public Schools Director of Facilities, Infrastructure and Security Bob Olson cautiously removes documents from a clip capsule dated 1920 that was recovered during nan demolition of an aged precocious schoolhouse site.  Owatonna Public Schools via YouTube

Olson said he had instructed building unit members during nan demolition to "nice and carefully" region a cornerstone because they wanted to sphere it location successful nan caller territory agency aliases successful a caller precocious school. Inside that cornerstone, which was laid connected September 30, 1920, was nan time capsule. 

And wrong was a immense postulation – and a typed database of everything inside.  Among nan items was a transcript of 1 of nan precocious school's first student newspaper volumes, finance committee reports, a database of mayors and metropolis reporters, galore items from nan Minnesota Freemasons, and moreover a booklet written successful Czech.

There was moreover accusation astir nan schoolhouse astatine nan time. The enrollment, uncovered documents show, was conscionable 327 students successful 1920. 

Owatonna Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Elstad and Director of Facilities, Infrastructure and Security Bob Olson analyse documents hidden successful a 1920 clip capsule. Owatonna Public Schools via YouTube

"Today we person complete 1,500 students astatine Owatonna High School," Elstad said. "So we've grown." 

Elstad said they are going to place what documents successful nan capsule person "a nonstop necktie to nan schoolhouse district." The items will spell nether curation, pinch nan hopes that immoderate of them will beryllium capable to beryllium displayed astatine nan caller schoolhouse territory agency and nan precocious school. The Steele County Historical Society will besides beryllium taking immoderate of nan items for curation and display. 

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• Minnesota