A century-old time capsule was unearthed at the State House on Thursday, December 11 after 12 people spent seven hours chipping and pounding at the site where it was buried.

Museum of Fine Arts conservator Pam Hatchfield, one of the people who worked to get the capsule out, got to show the media the historical item that everybody was waiting to see. She received a round of applause after revealing the little box that has been buried there since 1795.

Like Us on Facebook

Based on historical accounts, the men responsible for embedding the time capsule in the State House were Governor Samuel Adams, William Scollay and Paul Revere. They buried the box during a ceremony in downtown Boston.

The capsule was first brought out back in 1855 when some emergency repairs were held at the foundation of the State House, then it was buried again. It was not taken out since then until Thursday.

State Secretary William Gavin said they are hoping the box did not sustain damages and that everybody would be able to see all its contents in it in their truest form. This is crucial because the time capsule would help them trace the history of the building, the Commonwealth, and American citizenship.

Executive Office of Administration and Finance spokesperson Meghan Kelly said the time capsule may contain a wide collection of silver and coins made of copper from 1652 to 1855, an engraved silver plate, newspapers, the Commonwealth's seal, cards, and a title page from the Massachusetts Colony Records.

TagsTime Capsule, State House, century-old time capsule, Museum of Fine Arts, Pam Hatchfield, U.S. time capsule