The mystery of the Queen Elizabeth High School time capsule has been solved.
Workers discovered the sealed copper box while they were demolishing the former Halifax high school in August.
The box, which measures 9 x 11 inches, was found in the back of the building's corner stone, which was placed at the school in 1941.
The box was opened Thursday in Halifax, for the first time in 70 years.
"The time capsule is a unique opportunity to learn about our past and the common bonds that we share," says Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister David Wilson in a statement released Thursday. "We appreciate the foresight of the high school administrators in preserving part of our history."
Queen Elizabeth High School alumni, government officials, Halifax Regional School Board members, students and members of the public gathered to watch the reveal at Citadel High School on Thursday around 2:30 p.m.
The capsule contained copies of old newspapers that dated back to September 29, 1941.
It also contained a report from the Board of School Commissioners from 1940, a document from the Committee of School Sites, as well as a nickel and a postage stamp from 1941.
"I'm sure when they created this time capsule, that they were filled with great excitement and curiosity about what life had in store for them," says Mayor Kelly. "In a way, by travelling back through time this afternoon, we have helped complete their journey to the future."
Communities, Culture and Heritage and Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal will work with the Halifax Regional School Board to decide how the contents will be preserved and displayed.
"When it opened, QEH was the largest school built in our province," says Irvine Carvery, chair of the Halifax Regional School Board and a Queen Elizabeth High School alumnus. "We are looking forward to working with museum and archival staff to preserve the contents as an honour to the history of this great school."
