The city of Baltimore was shocked to find a 100-year-old time capsule after a restoration work was ongoing at the Washington Monument located in the Mt. Vernon area of the city. Workers discovered the sealed copper box and notified officials, but the latter are reportedly hesitant to open it.

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According to reports, the officials hesitate because of their concern about the age of the contents that might be too delicate to handle at this time. They said the contents of the time capsule might have suffered from dampness for nearly a century, and opening it may further endanger what is in it.

The Mount Vernon Place Conservancy has agreed to move the capsule to the Walter Art Museum as conservators believe that it will only be successfully and safely opened once they have an assessment of the condition of the time capsule.

The time capsule was kept behind a plaque that commemorates the monument's centennial. It was discovered when workers removed the plaque as investigators were examining the original plaster as part of the restoration project.

Lance Humphries, the head of the conservancy's restoration committee, said: "We were hoping that the plaster in the niche might give us clues as to the appearance of the original plaster in the museum room. Little did we realize that there was an actual time capsule stashed behind the plaque."

Experts are saying that the capsule, according to research, would contain copies of The Baltimore Sun newspaper, commemorative programs as well as other relevant materials during the time it was believed to have been made. 

The box was placed behind the plaque on Defender's Day, Sept. 12, 1915.

TagsTime Capsule, monument, 100-year-old, Baltimore, Mt. Vernon