100-yr-old time Capsule discovered during renovation of original Washington Monument in Baltimore

A 100-year-old time capsule was found at the time of renovation of the original Washington Monument in Baltimore. The time capsule will be moved from its current location behind a 1915 plaque at the monument in Baltimore's Mount Vernon neighborhood and taken to the close by Walters Art Museum for protection while renovation work continues. After moving it, conservators will decide when it may be safely opened after evaluating its condition.

According to Monument officials, research has discovered that the time capsule, a copper box, contains commemorative programs and copies of The Baltimore Sun, other relevant material, among other items. Officials are also concerned that the contents may have been exposed to the monument's dampness for a century and may be in poor condition.

The Mt. Vernon Washington Monument was designed by Robert Mills, who also designed the bigger and newer Washington Monument that adorns the National Mall in the nation's capital. In 1815, the building started and the monument was completed in 1829.

"We were hoping that plaster in niche might give us clues as to the appearance of the original plaster in the museum room. Little did we realize that there was an actual time capsule stashed behind the plaque", Lance Humphries, chair of the conservancy's restoration committee, said in a statement.

The box has not been opened and no date has been yet decided to open it. The contents of the box may be in poor condition, so conservators from Walters will help in the eventual opening of the box. It is expected that the Renovation work on the monument will be finished in the spring.