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The box-shaped capsule from 1795 has not yet been opened, but
is believed to contain artifacts that include coins, papers and
a metal plate made by the silversmith-turned-soldier, Galvin,
who is also head of the state historical commission, told
Reuters.
"The question is, what condition are they in?" he said.
The capsule had been placed in the cornerstone of the State
House by Revere and fellow American revolutionary Sam Adams, who
was then the governor of Massachusetts. It was removed on
Thursday after work crews began repairing a water leak in the
building.
Galvin said the box would be x-rayed over the weekend, and will
be opened in subsequent days if it is determined that is
possible without damaging its contents. He said it would be
replaced in the corner stone in the next few months, possibly
with additional items from this era.
According to Galvin, the capsule had been removed, opened, and
inventoried once before, in 1855, after its original leather
container deteriorated. The box is now made of copper.
Revere is best known for alerting Colonial fighters to the
approach of British Forces before the battles of Lexington and
Concord in 1775.
(Reporting by Richard Valdmanis; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)
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