RICHMOND (WINA) – Workers digging through the rubble of the pedestal of Richmond’s Lee Monument Monday morning have found a copper box they think could be the time capsule they’ve been looking for. Unlike the smaller lead box found 20-feet up in the tower and opened last week, this one found 8-inches underneath where the northeast capstone was is copper… and closer to the 14x14x8-inch dimensions described in an 1887 newspaper article.
State conservator Chelsea Blake left the box out for photography for a brief time, but soon wrapped it in bubble wrap for transport to the state lab. She says it was found in water, so they wanted to get it to the lab as soon as possible to prevent air and water damage that could occur to the box and contents inside. Unlike copper exposed to the elements turning green — like the Statue of Liberty — this box still has it’s original color.
The newspaper article has a description of 60 items contributed by 37 Richmond residents at the time, most of it confederate artifacts. Blake said they will not be able to open it today (Monday) as a Governor’s office tweet confirms, and they need to do some preparations before they open the box. She said the Governor’s office will likely release the time it will happen.
Last week, media was allowed in to the the state lab for opening of the lead box that contained some books, including a 1775 almanac, an cloth envelope, and a silver coin. A local historian believes the lead box, which was 4x8x11.5 inches, was put there by workers constructing the pedestal. The Governor’s office after the opening of that box said excavation would continue in a search for the described time capsule.
Workers digging through the rubble of the pedestal of Richmond's Lee Monument Monday morning have found a copper box they think could be the time capsule they've been looking for.
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