Pennsylvania Library Discovers Time Capsule from 1901

The Carnegie Free Library staff in Connellsville, Pennsylvania made a startling discovery when they removed a large bush from library grounds and revealed a stone hiding a time capsule.  Library officials knew that a time capsule had been placed when the library was built in 1901, but records did not reveal its exact location. After discovering the time capsule, the library hosted a public reception for its opening.  

Inside the time capsule, library members found a very well-preserved cache including newspapers and meeting minutes from the town council relating to the construction of the library. They also found business cards, photographs, medallions from military service, a phone directory, and an Indian head penny, amongst a variety of other objects that offered a detailed snapshot of early 20th century life in Connellsville.

Connellsville was at that point peaking as a coke manufacturer and could brag that more millionaires per capita resided there than anywhere else in the world.

Karen Heckler, president of the Connellsville Area Historical Society, said, "It's very exciting to be present when this time capsule from the early 20th century will be opened and see what people from that time felt best represented their era.''

After examination by scholars, the materials discovered in the time capsule will be put on display in the library.