Send Water Destroys Charlottesville Time Capsule Items

Posted: 11:08 AM May 28, 2012

Hundreds of people turned out to see what was buried in a time capsule on Charlottesville's bicentennial 50 years ago.

Their anticipation mostly turned to disappointment Sunday when the steel box was opened to reveal a soggy mess. Water had seeped into the capsule, destroying most of its contents.

Steven Meeks of the Albemarle Historical Society says a tar seal around the box broke down, allowing the moisture inside.

The Daily Progress (http://bit.ly/LAmqNy ) reports historians pulled out dark-brown newspapers, a damaged commemorative plate featuring Thomas Jefferson, rusted bicentennial buttons and coins, and two tape reels that likely recorded speeches from government officials from that era.

Sixty-two-year-old Tom Hartsell of Crozet hoped to see letters he and his parents put in the capsule, but they didn't survive the water.

WHSV Mobile Site Home

Gray Television, Inc - Copyright 2002-2012 - Powered by Gray Interactive Media

Full Site - Contact Station