Time capsule uncovered at demolition site offers glimpse into life more than 60 years ago

A rare time capsule uncovered at a demolition site offers a glimpse into life more than 60 years ago. Maria Sarrouh reports.

CHARLOTTETOWN – A time capsule opened in Charlottetown on Wednesday revealed a package from the past, built to stand the test of time.

Workers uncovered the capsule during recent decommissioning and demolition of a nursing home, where it had been sealed beneath the building’s cornerstone since the facility was built. The former Sherwood Home was constructed in 1962, with the cornerstone laid on July 18 of that year.

For Matthew McRae, executive director of the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation, seeing the contents was like a “childhood dream” come true.

“I’ve always been a history nerd, you don’t get into a position like this unless you are,” he said with a laugh. “It’s just very exciting because it’s a real connection to the people of the past. And it’s a reminder that these institutions, there are people at the heart of it.”

Inside the copper box was a brown envelope containing a Canadian penny with barely any signs of age, several clippings about the opening of Sherwood Home and a full edition of The Guardian, a local newspaper.

For Ernie Hudson, P.E.I.’s fisheries, rural development and tourism minister, some of the headlines felt familiar.

“You look at with regard to law enforcement speeding fines, things along that line,” Hudson said.

Another item that drew attention was a report addressed to the minister of health of the time, detailing a program for children with intellectual disabilities, along with a letter. The current health and wellness minister, Cory Deagle, who attended the opening, said seeing that material was especially striking.

“I know some of his family, his grandchildren and whatnot. So to see that is very interesting,” Deagle said.

After the capsule was found, it came into the care of Lesley Caseley, manager of collections with the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation. She was tasked with helping ensure the items were handled properly.

Other time capsules have been discovered on the island, but not all of them stand the test of time, she said.

“It was in such amazing condition. I don’t know who made this, but kudos to whoever constructed that copper box,” Caseley said. “They must have had some really good preventative conservation in mind because you couldn’t have made it any better.”

Each item will now be photographed to preserve its current condition before finding a permanent home with the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation or the province’s Public Archives and Records Office.