A small copper box was used as a time capsule at Gander Academy 65 years ago. Recently, the box was opened and the mysteries surrounding its contents were revealed. (Martin Jones/CBC)
The year was 1957. The frisbee had just been invented. The Soviets had launched Sputnik into space and Elvis Presley was rocked to reach No. 1 on the music charts.
In the town of Gander, Netherlands, students and staff at Gander Academy filled a small copper box with tokens and treasures, newspaper clippings and letters meant to capture what life was like back then. This copper box was built into the cornerstone of the school.
Hidden in the cornerstone of the school, the staff of Gander Academy discover a time capsule sealed in 1957. The capsule was found before the building was demolished. (Gander Academy)
More than six decades later, that building is no more, replaced by a new, state-of-the-art facility. The time capsule is found and saved, but the contents remain a mystery throughout the school year. Principal Colette Kelly admitted anticipation for the big event had been high.
“Opening the time capsule was super exciting,” Kelly said. “The kids’ eyes lit up. It was great.”
Gander Academy Vice Principal Tracy Templeman, left, and Principal Colette Kelly decided to unveil the time capsule at the end of the year assembly. Like their students, they were eager to see what was inside the 65-year-old box. (Collette Kelly)
The plan was to mark the end of the first year at the new school with a grand opening of the time capsule. Deputy director Tracey Templeman admits that waiting to see what was hidden inside allowed the imagination to run wild.
“I think given the fact that these students were with us last year when we found the box,” Templeman said, “they’ve been anticipating for a whole year what might be inside.”
Grade 3 student Emma Lacour presided over the opening ceremony for the time capsule. She admits she was nervous about speaking in front of a crowd for the first time. (Collette Kelly)
One of those students was Emma LaCour, a 3rd grader chosen to lead the unveiling. Emma admits she was nervous about the job.
“Yeah, I was really scared,” Lacour said. “I’ve never spoken in front of a big crowd before. I thought I was going to get the words wrong or something.”
She didn’t. She expertly introduced the officials in attendance, including Health Minister John Hagee and Gander Mayor Percy Farwell.
After several speeches and an enthusiastic rendition of Gander Academy’s official song by the school choir, the time capsule was finally opened.
All the eyes were fixed in a small flat rectangular box covered in a rich green and black patina. As they slowly lifted the lid, its interior shone a brilliant copper that reflected the fluorescent lights of the gymnasium.
There was a gasp from the students as they eagerly waited to see what was inside. Some sat just a few meters away, while others watched from classrooms on television screens. Some teachers and staff filmed the opening with their smart phones.
It was all in stark contrast to what viewers would have done 65 years ago when the box was originally sealed.
A section of The Daily News was found in the Gander Academy time capsule. The date is Wednesday, June 19, 1957. (Martin Jones/CBC)
The content serves as a time machine back to the era when a new Pontiac would cost you only $2,794 and a new pair of shoes sold for $2.98. There was a yellowed copy of The Daily News presenting world events in pictures. Buried under the paper, the students found a photo of a school hockey team with young men wearing Hunt Memorial Academy jerseys. A quick Google search allowed viewers to recall that this was the school’s name before it was renamed Gander Academy. There was also a collection of coins, some dating back to before Newfoundland became a province of Canada.
A school newspaper shows a school hockey team with Hunt Memorial Academy jerseys. This was the name of the school before it was renamed Gander Academy in the 1950s. (Martin Jones/CBC)
Excitement over the time capsule was not limited to those at Gander Academy. According to Principal Kelly, the opening, which was streamed live on the school’s social media pages, became a community event.
“It’s been amazing how people have come on board because they want to see it and watch it live,” Kelly said. “This was a huge deal for the city of Gander.”
Gander Academy has created a new time capsule that will be opened in 2097. It will contain items from each class and some face masks as a reminder of COVID-19. (Martin Jones/CBC)
The time capsule tradition will continue at Gander Academy. Now a brand new one has been created, this one made of plastic pipes, not copper. As for what’s inside, Director Kelly dropped some hints.
“So we asked each class to put two objects in the time capsule,” Kelly explains. “Hopefully, with the help of the teacher, it applies to the children themselves.” I know one of the teachers put in a fidget spinner.”
What would a 2022 time capsule be without something related to COVID-19? After all, for most of Gander Academy’s current students, learning under COVID restrictions is all they know. Deputy Director Templeman says several COVID items are included, including a face mask.
“We’re the first group of students in a very, very long time to actually experience a pandemic,” Templeman said. “So that was pretty exciting, too, to put it out there. And I think they’re hoping it will be removed forever.”
The new Gander Academy opened in 2021. It is a modern facility built on the same lot as the original school. (Gander Academy)
There is no cornerstone at the new school, but staff have already secured a safe place for the time capsule. It will be stored safely in a glass cabinet, out of sight, in the front lobby of the school. Its contents will remain secret until its official unveiling in 75 years. Principal Kelly wonders if she should leave a note to make sure she’s found.
“I won’t be here, but I hope they find him,” Kelly jokes. “I have to engrave it somewhere in the school before I go that the time capsule is here.”
When the new time capsule is opened in 2097, the current students of Gander Academy will be 80 years old, possibly with grandchildren or great-grandchildren of their own who could watch this time capsule open themselves.
They will also find tokens and treasures, newspaper clippings and letters designed to capture what life was like in 2022.
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