The time capsule was originally found within the pedestal that once sat below a large statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. That statute, which was removed earlier this year, was first erected in 1890 but has come under scrutiny from residents and activists for its glorification of the Confederacy. Virginia’s Supreme Court voted to allow Gov. Norham to move the statue in September. Two months later, the Governor’s Office announced they would remove the pedestal the statue sat atop as well.
Advertisement
Workers dismantling the pedestal stumbled upon the time capsule on December 17 in the pedestal’s tower about 20 feet off the ground. The lead box, previously believed to have been copper, measured around 4 inches high, 8 inches wide, 11-and-a-half inches deep according to local outlet WAVY. Historians believe the time capsule itself dates back to October 27, 1887. Prior to opening the box, historians believed it could have held as many as 60 artifacts, with many related to the confederacy, according to the Governor’s Office. Newspaper articles from the time the capsule was buried meanwhile claimed the capsule could have included a photograph of Abraham Lincoln lying in his coffin, USA Today notes.
The Governor’s Office announced they are calling on residents to submit objects to replace the time capsule with another one that “represents the Commonwealth of today.”
Advertisement