The Century Chest is a time capsule buried by the Ladies Aid Society and the First Lutheran Church in downtown OKC on April 22, 1913. Exactly 100 years later, on April 22, 2013, the Century Chest was opened and the contents were presented to the citizens of Oklahoma City.
It took approximately 11 hours to unearth what is lovingly called The Century Chest, what was found inside was well worth the wait.
The first treasure removed from the chest, a copy of The Daily Oklahoman.
Items that were used daily in that time period.
AÂ Desk telephone, Pioneer Telephone and Telegraph Co.
Recorded messages and songs, including an Edison phonograph to play them.
The most personal finds: messages and letters.
Native American translations of the Bible, including this Choctaw translation.
A copy of the Chickasaw Nation Constitution, along with a plate with the Seal of the Chickasaw Nation hand-painted by Julia Chisholm Navenport, niece of Gov. Douglas Hancock Cooper Johnston of the Chickasaw Nation.
Time period clothing in pristine condition.
Also included in the time capsule was a pen used by President William McKinley to sign the Free Homes Bill, pottery made from Oklahoma soil, and a spoon hand carved from buffalo horn. The historic collection can be found on display at the Oklahoma History Center.
What would you put in a time capsule to be opened 100 years later? Let us know in the comments section below.
