University of Tennessee opens 112-year-old time capsule

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) - The University of Tennessee opened up a piece of 20th century history Friday morning.

After 112 years, the university opened up the Estabrook Hall time capsule. The building was erected in 1898 and was renovated eight years later. During the 1906 renovations, UT leadership left a time capsule in one of the building's cornerstone that's remained there for over a century.

The building is now being torn down to make way for a new engineering complex. The University Libraries Office of Special Collections took control of the box and will carefully unveil the contents to the world.

The box is made of lead and was soldered shut before being placed in the building's cornerstone.

UT opened the time capsule in a special ceremony streamed live on Facebook. University archivist and assistant professor Alesha Shumar led the reveal.

The box included items such as illustrations of the university and buildings, letters, newspapers, course guides and other mementos from the period. For more information on the project and the ceremony, visit whats-in-the-box