A century-old time capsule, recently discovered at Baltimore's Washington Monument, will be on display at the Walters Art Museum until it is opened in late May.
The capsule had been placed in the monument in 1915, during the structure's centennial celebration. It had been placed behind a bronze plaque commemorating the centennial and then, apparently, forgotten. It was found on Oct. 16, 2014, by George Wilk II of Lewis Contractors. Thirteen days later, it was moved to the Walters for safekeeping and study.
The monument, construction on which began in 1815 and completed in 1829, is undergoing a $5.5-million restoration by the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy.
Contemporary accounts suggest the capsule contains materials related to the monument and to the 1914 centennial celebration of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Conservators were concerned the capsule may have suffered moisture damage, as water has been seeping into the monument for decades, But the copper box had been soldered shut, and x-rays of the contents suggest they are undamaged.
"After taking an x-ray of the box and receiving the results, we are confident the contents are in good condition," Terry Drayman-Weisser, the Dorothy Wagner Wallis Director of Conservation & Technical Research at the Walters Art Museum, said in a press release.
Once the box is opened, its contents will go on display at the Maryland Historical Society. The monument itself is scheduled to be re-dedicated and opened to the public on July 4, 2015.