In what Superintendent Jeff Elstad called a "historic event for our community," a more than century-old time capsule has been discovered in the demolition of an old high school Owatonna, Minnesota. The contents of the capsule were unveiled for the first time during a press conference this week.
Bob Olson, director of facilities, infrastructure and security at Owatonna Public Schools, said at the event that the capsule was discovered while an old school was being taken down. According to the Owatonna People's Press, it was the former Owatonna High School that had been erected in 1921.
Olson said he had instructed construction crew members during the demolition to "nice and carefully" remove a cornerstone because they wanted to preserve it somewhere in the new district office or in a new high school. Inside that cornerstone, which was laid on September 30, 1920, was the time capsule.
Back in 1920, the school had an enrollment of just 327 students, according to recently uncovered documents.
"Today, Owatonna High School boasts a student body of over 1,500," shared Elstad. "We have definitely grown over the years."
Elstad also mentioned plans to identify documents in the time capsule that have a direct connection to the school district. These selected items will undergo curation, with the intention of displaying some at the new school district office and the high school. Additionally, the Steele County Historical Society will be involved in curating and displaying some of the items as well.
