1913 Time Capsule Opened In Oklahoma City

A time capsule from 1913 was recently opened after spending 100 years underground.

The so-called “Century Chest” has spent decades buried underneath concrete in the basement of the First Lutheran Church in Oklahoma City. Reports indicate that it took roughly 11 hours for a construction crew to bring the time capsule to the surface.

Oklahoma History Center research director Chad Williams said he was very concerned about the condition of the items contained in the 1913 time capsule. However, he was amazed by how well-preserved everything was.

“This is more than we could have hoped for. I was expecting some things to be damaged, but everything looks in excellent condition,” he explained.

According to the Facebook page dedicated to the collection, the “Century Chest” was buried by the Ladies Aid Society and the First Lutheran Church on April 22, 1913. The artifacts and vintage items contained in the capsule were photographed and shared online.

Among the items unearthed are newspapers, vintage clothing, coffee, a box of recorded messages, an old desk telephone, and Oklahoma-grown wheat and corn. All of the items were secured in airtight containers by the people who buried them.

Govenor Mary Fallin and Mayor Mick Cornett were among the folks who spoke at the ceremony dedicated to the 1913 time capsule’s unearthing.

“What a remarkable insight the people of this church had at the time to be able to put all these different things into this wonderful treasure chest,” Fallin explained.

Reverend Jerry Peterson, senior pastor at First Lutheran Church, said the fundraising event centered around the capsule’s unveiling will hopefully generate enough money to purchase a organ. He added that all he has to do now is fill the hole that’s currently in the church’s basement.

Peterson explained that the items were removed with extreme care by experts at the Oklahoma Historical Society. They will be on-display for all to see at the Oklahoma History Center at some point this year.

To see pictures of the objects removed from the 1913 time capsule, pay a visit to the Downtown, OKC Facebook page.