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Re: Time Capsules



Rob Dishon wrote:

> I would have to wonder if the biggest reason that things were wet and mildewed had to do with the "sneak preview" that broke the original seals and than the thing was "reburied" in the moist warm dark earth.

I've only dealt with one time capsule opening and it went pretty well, in spite of lack of advance notice.  (I got called just before class...)

The contents were in good condition, and I would not have been able to tell that the stuff was ninety-eight years old had it not been for the dates of the newspaper, and btw the newspaper was brittle, but not brown.  A color magazine cover was brilliant with color!  But it had been sealed around with cement which was intact, and above ground, in a cornerstone of a building being dismantled.

> I think i would forgo the preview  and just live with what you find.  Be prepared with cotton gloves and speciman trays that objects can be layed in so that the tray can be handled and not the object.

I would have given anything for a preview!  Not knowing what you'll get can be nerve-racking.  And a preview could allow for some "touch ups" for the official opening later, I would hope.  Cotton gloves are probably a good idea, though latex or something might work better if dexterity/manipulation are critical.

> I have never personally experienced this but have heard of the experiences of others and most generally they are somewhat disappointing.  I would think having no idea what was in the capsule would be more exciting than opening it and knowing exactly what you were going to find.  At that point it would only be of interest to see how much deterioration had taken place.

I compared a list of contents done in 1901 with what was actually in the box, and yes, it was all there. But some other stuff was there, too.  A listing might be complete, but I wouldn't guarantee you won't find other stuff!

> At the same time its a great opportunity to promote the archives and educate the public about proper preservations methods.  In my eyes any event where you can tell the public that scotch tape and lamination are only good gift wrapping and your drivers license respectively is a good thing.
>
> Rob Dishon
> Archivist
> LaGuardia and Wagner Archives

Definitely great PR!  Be prepared for phones ringing off the hook!  For two weeks I could hardly deal with anything else, the response was so voluminous.

Holly Hodges
Special Collections
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

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