WATCH LIVE: Conservators opening the 1887 time capsule found where Lee statue once stood in Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Historic documents, a Bible, books, coins and ammunition from the Civil War were found inside the elusive and mysterious 1887 time capsule that was found Monday on the site where Richmond’s Robert E, Lee Monument once stood. Experts opened the 36-pound copper box this afternoon as Virginians and history buffs everywhere watched while its contents were revealed live online.

A team of conservators began the process of opening the box prior to Tuesday’s live event held at the Virginia Department of Historic Resources lab in Richmond. After an initial attempt at opening the time capsule following its recovery, it was quickly closed because of water condensation, according to State Archaeological Conservator Kate Ridgway. She said that blotter paper and silica gel were then used to keep the historic artifacts dry.

Although the container was partially opened on Monday, the top of the box was left intact in order to open the final piece today – more than 130 years after the time capsule was buried.

Conservators started removing the lid around 1 p.m. and the last item was removed from the time capsule around 2:45 p.m. Ridgway said the box contained the artifacts they expected to see based on historical records. The time capsule contained a variety of items including:

“Harpers Weekly” from April 1865. The paper already had wear and tear before it was put into the box
Buttons
Constitution of the Lee camp (where veterans stayed)
A photo
Five or six minie balls used in muskets
Confederate money in an envelope
Twelve copper coins
A copy of the Richmond Dispatch newspaper and other newspapers
Several books including a Richmond directory
Small Bible with an impression of a coin on its cover
Wood-carved Masonic symbol and flag
Badges from the Army of Northern Virginia
Reports of Chamber of Commerce, Richmond, 1886 and 1887 (two volumes)
Several rubber bands
Commemorative ribbon from the day the monument’s cornerstone was laid with Lee on it
Book titled “The Immigrant’s Friend” published by Manning C. Staples and Company, 1104 1/2 Main St.

Staff from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources prepare to open the time capsule. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
A first look inside the time capsule. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
Staff from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources get one of their first looks inside the time capsule. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
An item recovered from the time capsule. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
An item recovered from the time capsule. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
Removing the plastic from the time capsule before it was opened. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
Removing the top of the time capsule. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
A view inside the opened time capsule. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)

Ridgway said that after the time capsule was retrieved yesterday, it was photographed and a portable X-ray machine was used to confirm that the box is copper. A bomb squad also evaluated the box to make sure that there was no live ammunition inside.

Historic records approximate that the time capsule was buried in October 1887. Earlier this month Gov. Ralph Northam noted that based on Library of Virginia records, 37 Richmond residents, organizations and businesses contributed about 60 objects for the capsule. A “Richmond Magazine” article from 2017 tells the story of the time capsule and the items that were thought to be inside.

List of items contributed to the 1887 time capsule. (Photo Sabrina Shutters)

More items contributed to the 1887 time capsule — List of items contributed to the 1887 time capsule. (Photo Sabrina Shutters)

The copper time capsule was located Monday beneath the statue’s pedestal on the site where the Robert E, Lee statue once stood. Construction crews removing the pedestal from Monument Avenue were successful this time after a previous effort to locate the vessel failed after hours of digging at the site.

A lead box was found at the site earlier this year and opened last week with the expectation that it was the 1887 time capsule from historic reports. After its contents were revealed, it was determined to be a second “time capsule” placed inside the pedestal by people who worked on the construction project. The box contained three books, an envelope and a coin. One of the books is an 1875 almanac and another appeared to be an 1889 novel titled “The Huguenot Lovers.”

Book removed from the time capsule with a coin stuck to its cover. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
State Archaeological Conservator Kate Ridgway used a rotating tool to open a side of the box. (Photo Sabrina Shutters)
Book titled “The Immigrant’s Friend” was retrieved from the time capsule. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
An item being removed from the time capsule after one of the sides was partially removed. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
A book and other papers recovered from the time capsule. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
State Archaeological Conservator Kate Ridgway works with items recovered from the time capsule. (Photo Will McCue)
Items removed from the time capsule. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
Item removed from the time capsule (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
Book removed from the time capsule (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
A wood-carved flag was retrieved from the time capsule. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
A paper item that was in the time capsule. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
A newspaper that was in the time capsule. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
The last item removed from the time capsule. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)
A look at the empty time capsule. (Screengrab from 8News livestream)