A century-old time capsule was discovered during the demolition of a Minnesota high school, and its perfectly preserved contents were revealed for the first time this week.
The capsule was recovered when construction workers tore down the front pillars and doors of the former Owatonna High School, built in 1920.
Bob Olson, director of facilities, infrastructure and safety, had ordered workers to carefully remove a cornerstone as the district planned to keep it in its office or at the new high school.
But inside that cornerstone, laid more than a century ago, workers found a surprise: a 104-year-old time capsule.
The contents of the smashed white box were presented during a press conference on Monday.
A 104-year-old time capsule was discovered during the demolition of the former Owatonna High School in Minnesota, and its contents were revealed for the first time on Monday.
The capsule was hidden inside a cornerstone that was laid in 1920, when the old high school was built.
Facilities Director Bob Olson (left) instructed demolition workers to carefully remove the cornerstone as the district planned to preserve it.
Principal Cory Kath was one of several administrators who spoke before the dedication.
“I think what’s really important is that Owatonna High School has a rich history, and that history has spanned multiple buildings, multiple learning spaces, many different faces, and so tonight I think it’s going to be really exciting to see some of those faces emerge. ‘, said.
Olson put on a pair of latex gloves before carefully removing the items and announcing each one to the crowd.
The capsule was filled with documents containing historical information about the high school and the local community.
Among the articles was an early edition of the OHS Magnet, the school’s student-run newspaper, and a report from the district’s finance committee.
There were also copies of three local newspapers: The Daily People’s Press, The Blooming Prairie Time and the Owatonna Journal-Chronicle. Only the Popular Press has continued to print to this day.
There was also information about the city itself, including a list of mayors and city reporters and a written history of Owatonna.
The most surprising finds were several objects belonging to the Minnesota Freemasons and a pamphlet written entirely in Czech.
The tattered white box was filled with documents detailing the school’s history.
Olson sported a pair of latex gloves at Monday’s news conference, where he pulled out the items and described each one to the crowd.
Among the articles were copies from three local newspapers, including two that went out of print.
The most surprising discoveries included objects belonging to the Minnesota Freemasons and a pamphlet written in Czech.
The district plans to display some items on school property, while others will go to the Steele County Historical Society.
Some documents contained information about OHS in the past, including a list of the 1920-21 Board of Education and school staff.
Articles containing information about inscription revealed a striking contrast. In 1920, there were only 327 students at the school, a fraction of its current study body of 1,500.
The items will be curated, with the hope that some of them can be displayed on school property.
The OHS Museum Committee is working with the Steele County Historical Society to determine which items are directly related to the district.
The historical society plans to adopt some items for preservation and display.
